Issuu

Historic Ashville Home • Gallery of Eden • Ed Gardner Sr. Wood carver David Foote • Local Gee’s Bend Quilter • Northside Imaging

February & March 2019

e r o m d n a s t e n i e m Mov n i a t r e t n e w e y n t i C at l l e P n i x e l p m o c

Special Outdoors Section Inside

The first step to saving energy is seeing how you use it. Want to learn how to lower your power bill? Alabama Power gives you the tools you need to manage your daily energy use. Our online resource center helps you find the energy-saving tips, products and programs right for you. And with our energy checkup, you can learn about your home’s energy use and get recommendations on how to save money. You can even set email alerts to help monitor how you’re using energy. We offer all of this so you’ll have the tools you need to help lower your power bill.

Explore ways to save at AlabamaPower.com/energyusage Manage your bill by logging in at AlabamaPower.com/myusage

If you have high-interest credit cards this is the perfect opportunity to make the switch to Coosa Pines FCU VISAÂŽ Credit Card! You may even qualify for a lower interest rate with a lower monthly payment. Make the switch now and get 1.99% APR* for six (6) months from balance transfer date on any single balance transfer made until March 31, 2019. After the promotional period, our standard rate between 8.75%-15.75% APR will apply, depending on your eligibility. â€˘APR-Annual Percentage Rate. Must meet membership and credit requirements. The promotional rate will convert to the standard rate of 8.75%-15.95% depending on eligibility at the end of the six (6) months promotional period (September 30, 2019). Offer good on initial transfer only. Offer applies to non-CPFCU card balance transfers only. For terms and conditions, see a CPFCU loan officer.

Features and Articles Discover

The Essence of St. Clair

More than a theater

Premiere Cinertainment

Page 22 David Footeâ€™s wood carving Page 8

Traveling the Backroads Geeâ€™s Bend in St. Clair Page 14

St. Clair Outdoors Safety first Guns, Bows, Hunting

Page 36

Page 42 So many things to do

Historic Ashville Home Page 28 Gallery of Eden Page 70

Page 50 Why cycle St. Clair? Page 54

Business Briefing Cutting-edge eye clinic coming to Pell City Ed Gardner Sr. Blueprint for success

Page 60

Page 64 Northside Medical Imaging Page 68

February & March 2019

www.discoverstclair.com

Linda Long

Writers AND Photographers

Linda Long has worked in communications for more than 25 years in print, broadcast, nonprofit promotion and special event planning and implementation. Her writing has appeared in Business Alabama Magazine, Technology Alabama, Mobile Bay Monthly, Birmingham News, Huntsville Times, Partners Magazine, Birmingham Magazine, Alabama Alive, Cahaba Talk, Hoover Outlook and Shelby Living. She served as news and special projects producer for NBC13 News, where her work won national, regional and state honors, including two Emmy Award nominations.

Elaine Hobson Miller Elaine Hobson Miller is a freelance writer with a B.A. in Journalism from Samford University. She was the first female to cover Birmingham City Hall for the Birmingham Post-Herald, where she worked as reporter, food editor and features writer. A former editor of Birmingham Home & Garden magazine and staff writer for Birmingham magazine, she has written for a variety of local, regional and national publications.

Joe Whitten Joe Whitten was born in Bryant on Sand Mountain. When he arrived in Odenville in 1961 to teach at St. Clair County High School, he found a place to call home. He and his wife, Gail, taught across the hall from each other. He continues to live in Odenville in a 1904 house they called home for 36 years. Joe was active in the Alabama Writers’ Conclave and the Alabama State Poetry Society. The society named him Poet of the Year in 2000. Joe has also published a number of St. Clair County local history books.

Mike Callahan Mike Callahan is a freelance photographer who resides on Logan Martin Lake in Pell City. He specializes in commercial, nature and family photography. Mike’s work has been published in Outdoor Alabama Magazine, Alabama Trucking Association and Alabama Concrete Industries magazines. Publishing his work to the internet frequently, he has won many honors for pictures of the day and week.

Susan Wall Susan Wall moved to Logan Martin Lake from Birmingham, where she worked as a critical care nurse. Alongside the nursing career, she owned Dreamscapes Photography, a portrait and wedding studio. Winner of the 2010 August Moore award at the Bluff Park Art Show, with numerous publications in magazines and the Kodak Instructional Magazine, her passion now is digital painting and portraits.

Loyd McIntosh

Loyd McIntosh is a freelance writer and former news reporter and sports writer for several newspapers throughout the Southeast, including The Daily Home. In over 10 years as a freelance writer, he has published work in a variety of magazines. He is a native of Trussville and now lives in Pell City.

Paul South Paul South, a native of Fairfield, is an Au¬burn graduate with a degree in journalism and a double minor in history. He also has a Juris Doctorate degree from the Birmingham School of Law. Although sports writing was always his first love, he had a versa¬tile career as reporter, columnist and first full-time sports information director at Samford University.

Jackie Romine Walburn Jackie Romine Walburn, a Birmingham native and freelance writer, is an Auburn journalism graduate who has worked as a reporter, editor and corporate communications manager. She’s had recent writing published in the Birmingham Arts Journal and Alalitcom. Jackie is currently seeking an agent and publisher for her first novel, Mojo Jones and the Black Cat Bone.

Leigh Pritchett

Leigh Pritchett has been in the publishing field 30 years. Early in her career, she worked for a New York Times Regional Newspaper. Since the 1990s, she has been a freelance writer. Her work has appeared in local, state and national publications in print and digital form. Mrs. Pritchett received the Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Montevallo.

Wallace Bromberg Jr. Wally graduated from Auburn University where he graduated in 1976 with his BA in History and minors in German and Education. Wally’s skills in photography blossomed during college.After a 30-year career, he decided to dust off his camera skills and pursue photography full time.

Scottie Vickery Scottie Vickery is a writer with a degree in journalism from the University of Alabama and was a reporter for The Birmingham News. Her first assignment was covering St. Clair and Blount counties. She has more than 30 years of writing and editing experience and her work has appeared in a variety of publications. She also has worked in the nonprofit industry.

From the Editor

Discovering creative genius in our backyard I have always been awed by creativity. It’s the kind of creativity that turns a blank stretch of canvas into a piece of art that leaves the beholder spellbound. It’s an imagination that puts words on paper and transforms that seemingly random string of syllables into a compelling story the reader just can’t put down. It can be a dream that drives a leader to envision what others may not be able to see at first, but once they bring it to fruition, we can’t imagine a world without it. That’s the kind of creativity we are lucky enough to discover all the time in St. Clair County. If we were to write and photograph all their stories, this magazine would have no end. And I guess that’s our aim – to tell those stories of creativity, imagination, history, legacy and leadership – stories that have no end. In this issue, that premise is no different than the ones that have come before it or the ones that will follow. It’s the story of an artist who begins with a block of wood and carves his way into wildlife so real you might expect it to fly away. It’s also the story of an economic development leader who laid the foundation – brick by brick – for the burgeoning region we see today. Where others saw woodlands surrounding bedroom communities of commuters heading to bigger towns and cities, he saw the opportunity to put them to work at home. Now it’s hard to imagine a time when that was not the case. But creativity has a way of taking hold, driving people long past what they thought they were capable of. Such is the story of Gee’s Bend quilters, virtually cut off from the outside world in Alabama’s Blackbelt, only to turn what came naturally – making quilts – into a patchwork of art exhibited around the globe. As a London newspaper once wrote, these women and their quilts “shattered artistic boundaries.” Yes, even the story of Gee’s Bend has a St. Clair connection that lives on in a descendant, who continues the quilters’ story of legacy, love, art and creativity. Discover has always been about these kinds of stories, this kind

of creative thinking and doing that make St. Clair that special place we all are proud to call home. And take heart, there’s plenty more of those “creative discoveries” in this issue and in the ones that follow. Turn the page and discover them all with us. Carol Pappas Editor and Publisher

Discover The Essence of St. Clair

February & March 2019 • Vol. 46 • www.discoverstclair.com

Carol Pappas • Editor and Publisher Graham Hadley • Managing Editor and Designer Mike Callahan • Photography Wallace Bromberg Jr. • Photography Susan Wall • Photography Dale Halpin • Advertising Toni Franklin • Graphic Designer

A product of Partners by Design www.partnersmultimedia.com 1911 Cogswell Avenue Pell City, AL 35125 205-338-3466

Printed at Russell Printing, Alexander City, AL 7

A master at his craft Labor of love takes Pell City woodcarver to national, international heights Story by Scottie Vickery Photos by Wallace Bromberg Jr. David Foote peered intently through the lighted magnifier attached to his kitchen table and carefully cut a miniscule section of a duck’s feather with a small knife. It’s that attention to detail that makes the woodcarver’s art come alive, whether he’s recreating feathers, a beak or the shell of a turtle. “You’ll never find anybody who has put more love and consideration into a piece than I have,” said Foote, who has been carving wildlife – mostly birds – for 38 years. “You’re looking at somebody who no doubt loves what he does.” Foote’s creations have been featured at the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, the headquarters of the National Audubon Society in Manhattan, and in homes and offices in 11 countries. He’s taking commissions two years out, and his carvings can fetch thousands of dollars. Despite the acclaim, the Pell City artist is always honing his craft. “I’m just an old country boy,” he said. “I’ve gotten to go to a lot of places and meet a lot of people because of my artwork, but I never feel like I’ve reached a pinnacle. It’s a continual learning process.” Foote has learned a lot about himself in recent years, largely because of health issues that have plagued him. Ten years ago, while in the hospital with double pneumonia, he had a heart attack at age 47. In 2015, he battled squamous cell cancer in his throat and very nearly lost his life. The experiences helped him grow as a person and an artist. “I was on life support for three weeks and in intensive care for a few more,” Foote said of his cancer fight. “I left the hospital in a wheelchair because I couldn’t walk. The doctor said, ‘I can’t tell you what to expect, because I’ve never seen anybody come back from the dead.’ I thought I’d never carve again.” Instead of feeling sorry for himself,

Foote’s work is so lifelike, it is often mistaken for taxidermy.

Foote thanked God for healing him and for every bird he’d had the opportunity to create. “Even if I didn’t carve another one, that was fine,” he said. “I was at peace with it.” Slowly but surely, however, he began to regain his strength. As he graduated to a walker and then a cane, he began to think about once again pursuing his passion. “Finally, one day I picked up a knife and took a piece of wood and just started carving,” he said. “I realized I could do a little more each day.” Foote, 57, first fell in love with carving at 18. The son of Wayne and Wanda Foote, he grew up on the river with his sister and two brothers, including an identical twin. His mother was a primitive antiques dealer, and his father, who had a long career in the iron industry, also built and restored furniture and log houses. “My dad taught me a wonderful

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Although he puts hundreds of hours into each piece, Foote said he loves what he does.

Woodworker “A woodcarver is only as good as his tools are sharp,” said Foote, who uses a variety of knives and gouges on his creations.

respect and reverence for wood,” Foote said, adding that he learned the different properties of wood make some types better for creating baskets and others best for making furniture. “He looked at wood like we look at different people.” Foote also developed his love of nature and wildlife as a child. On fishing trips with his father, he spent more time feeding ducks than he did baiting his hook. “People ask me all the time why birds and why wood,” he said. “I’m a bird person; I notice them everywhere. And I like the unforgiveness of wood. You’ve got one shot. If you take something away, you can’t put it back.” Not long after graduating from Pell City High School in 1980, Foote stumbled upon a craft show at a Birmingham mall and was mesmerized with one artist’s wood carvings. “We got to talking and he said, ‘You know a lot about wood, and you know a lot about birds. Have you ever thought about carving?’” The man, Don Mitchell of Leeds, gave him his card and

invited the teenager to visit his workshop. “I wanted to go the next day, but I waited two weeks,” Foote said. “He had an old garage he’d converted to a shop. When we walked in that door, that was it. Before I left there, he gave me my first carving knife and said, ‘Go carve a bird and when you get done, I want to see it.’” Mitchell mentored Foote for about two years before he passed away. Later, Foote read everything he could get his hands on about birds and the art of wood carving, and he said he is largely self-taught. “My mother still has the first bird I ever carved,” he said. “My stuff was very crude back then, but my father gave me some good advice. He told me that there are no straight lines and nothing flat in nature.” Foote’s art allows him to use another one of his talents and loves – painting. “I have always been artistic,” he said. “I was just always able to draw from first-grade on. The teacher would say, ‘Draw a bird, draw a house,’ and mine always got hung up

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Woodworker

“The greatest form of flattery with my artwork is when people think it’s a stuffed bird,” Foote says.

Foote credits God and his wife, Melodie, with his recovery from cancer.

on the board.” He took art in middle and high school and said he was blessed to have accomplished artist John Lonergan, who lives in Pell City and is well known for his paintings and pottery, as his teacher. “He kind of took me under his wing,” Foote said. For much of his career, Foote’s brush strokes provided the exquisite detail on the figures he carved mostly from bass wood. His recovery from cancer and brush with death, however, gave him the incentive he needed to try what he had wanted to do for a long time – take his skill to the next level and provide most of the detail through woodburning and carving rather than just paint. Foote had experimented with the technique before cancer, but was afraid the extra work and time required would make his pieces too costly. “Everything back then was smooth and slick and didn’t have the intricate details,” Foote said. “When I got through cancer and saw I was going to be able to carve again, my whole attitude changed. I decided I don’t care if anyone buys it. I’m going to do it like I want.” Foote, who now creates full-size, half-size and miniature works of art mostly from Tupelo gum wood, needn’t have worried. His customers pay anywhere from $1,000 for a small songbird to $5,000 for a fullsize waterfowl. “What used to take 20-40 hours to complete now takes 400 or 500, so I’m averaging $8 or $10 an hour,” he said with a laugh. “I do what I do because I love it. I have never seen the face of a wood carver on the cover of a Fortune 500 magazine.” Early career Foote got his start in craft shows in his 20s and quickly began to win awards. The resident wood carver at Springville’s Homestead Hollow for 20 years, he shared his love with kids, many of whom were inspired to carve their own pieces. Perhaps the biggest surprise of his career, though, was when officials from the Alabama State Council on the Arts asked him to carve a yellowhammer for the White House Christmas tree in 2002. First Lady Laura Bush had selected a theme of “All Creatures Great and Small,” and the tree featured ornaments of each state’s bird handcrafted by local artists. The works were later exhibited at the Smithsonian. Not long after, Foote was one of two artists worldwide selected to provide sculptures of endangered birds for the Audubon Society headquarters. “I consider that to be my claim to fame because they are the bird people of the world,” said Foote, who carved a pair of Virginia rails. “The other artist was a 10th-generation porcelain bird sculptor from Germany.” While he appreciates the recognition he has received, Foote mostly enjoys doing what he loves for people who love it. “It gives me great satisfaction when someone who gets up early every morning and works hard to put food on the table calls and says he wants one of my pieces,” he said. “This is a passion. I don’t know any other way to say it. As long as God gives me the strength in my hands and sight in my eyes, I’ll continue to do it.” l

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

AUTO HOME PROPERTY BUSINESS LIFE HEALTH BANKING ANNUTITIES

Front L-R: Regan Moore, Addie Vick Back L-R: Jayme Nickens, JP Dailey, Heather Myers, Maranda Hiett

JP DAILEY, AGENT NMLS #: 139716

JP DAILEY INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. 205.525.5525

2109 7th Avenue, Suite 2 Pell City, AL 35125 jp.dailey.ts4s@statefarm.com

oday, while we may use more modern tools to do the job, our core mission is still the same. Provide reliable service at the most affordable price possible. We are your electric cooperative.

Traveling the

BACKROADS

Gee’s Bend in St. Clair Quilts and quilters have compelling stories to tell

Showing off a Gee’s Bend quilt 14

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Story by Joe Whitten Photos by Susan Wall Submitted Photos Gee’s Bend quilts, vibrant and spontaneous, have been exhibited and written about around the world, but for Claudia Pettway Charley, born in Gee’s Bend and now living in Pell City, quilts have been an everyday fact of life. She grew up nurtured by the women whose quilts would one day be showcased in museums across the globe. It was a legacy, an art learned from her mother, Tinnie Pettway; her grandmother, Malissia Pettway; her aunt, Minnie Pettway; and other quilters of the close-knit community. Sewn by descendants of slaves from a plantation on the Alabama River, these quilts have made Gee’s Bend and the quilters internationally famous. From The Times of London — “The women of Gee’s Bend … have shattered artistic boundaries. Their bold, vibrant designs are as radically different from orthodox quilt patterns as Picasso was from anyone who preceded him.” From The New York Times — “What makes this (Gee’s Bend) tradition so compelling is that unlike most quilts in the European-American tradition, which favor uniformity, harmony and precision, Gee’s Bend quilts include wild, improvisatory elements: broken patterns, high color contrasts, dissonance, asymmetry and syncopation. ...” Quilting originated in the Orient as padded garments, then made its way to Europe by way of returning 13th century crusaders, and eventually evolved into bedding. Quilts came to the New World with the first settlers and were necessary in the home well into the 20th century. In the second half of the 20th century, there burst upon both the quilting world and the art world the phenomena of Gee’s Bend quilts. In 2018 the Bend’s quilts again came to prominence through the official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama painted by Amy Sherald of Baltimore. Mrs. Obama’s portrait gown features quilt blocks associated with Gee’s Bend quilts. In 2018, Sherald visited Gee’s Bend quilters and had a grand time in Tinnie Pettway’s home hearing stories from the past told by Tinnie and her sister Minnie. Gee’s Bend quilter and entrepreneur, Claudia Pettway Charley, is partner in the family-owned business and currently owns the registered trademark for that business, That’s Sew Gee’s Bend. In a recent interview at the Pell City Library, among an array of her quilts as well as her mother’s, she talked about her process of making a quilt. “Everything comes from the head and the heart — what the feeling is at that moment, that time when you put a piece together. No patterns, nothing like that.” The fascination and beauty of a Gee’s Bend quilt is its spontaneity. Each quilt is a serendipity of seemingly haphazard colors and shapes that harmonize into a thing of beauty which sings to the

Crimson Blues made by Claudia Pettway Charley

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Traveling the

BACKROADS observer’s soul. A New York Times reporter wrote that the earliest Bend quilts “…came into being alongside gospel, blues, ragtime and jazz,” an era when strict rules of music composition were tossed aside. Think of trumpeter Louie Armstrong or pianist Thelonious Monk departing from the written notes and improvising his mood of the moment into improvisations. Now look at a Gee’s Bend quilt and realize the placement of color, fabric texture and shape speak a language of mood or emotion, unhampered by strict adherence to geometrical pattern and form. The green-bordered Double Glory quilt by Tinnie Pettway (Claudia’s mother) is as lively as New Orleans jazz vibrating the night. Claudia acknowledged her quilts to be both improvisational and abstract — each quilt “is true to itself,” she said. When asked her thoughts when beginning a new quilt, Claudia replied: “It could be your mood at that particular time; the weather; how you are feeling. If you’re feeling excited and happy, you may choose a lot of bright (colors) for the piece — I’m speaking of myself now. You just kind of know the direction you want the piece to go. It’s not just one thing; it could be a multitude of things that would make you choose certain fabrics and colors.” Tinnie Pettway’s thoughts on starting a quilt correspond with her daughter’s. “Fabric is not the problem,” she said. “My problem is the design — and I have no special design (in mind) when I’m making a quilt. I think of how I want it, and sometimes that don’t work out, and I just let that go. I take a portion of the quilt, and I lay it out on the floor, and I look at it. I turn it around, and whatever looks the best to me when I place it together, then that’s the way I sew it.” Her yellow-bordered Multi Block Crossroads quilt is a striking example of how successfully she works this technique. The Bend quilters do have “traditional patterns,” Tinnie said; “…things like Grandma’s Dream, Nine Patch, String, or the one we call House Top — those are regular quilts that everybody makes. But I have no particular pattern. I just sew pieces together. If they look good, I sew the pieces together. “And everybody who sees one (of our quilts) knows that that’s a Gee’s Bend quilt. It’s put together just as our mind tells us — most time with no set form and no set pattern. That’s how we do it.” How did they get here from there? To understand Gee’s Bend quilts, you need to answer the question, “How did Gee’s Bend quilts originate?” To answer that, you must know some of the history of this particular bend in the Alabama River. And to appreciate the abstract beauty of the quilts, you must understand the pervasive tension between despair and hope in their lives. Joseph Gee, from North Carolina, settled in the Bend around 1816 and established a plantation in the rich, fertile riverbottom land. According to Harvey H. Jackson II in his Rivers of History: Life on the Coosa, Tallapoosa, Cahaba, and Alabama, Joseph died in 1824 and left the plantation and 47 slaves to his nephews still living in the east. One nephew, Charles Gee, moved to Alabama and ran the plantation until the 1840s. At that time, to settle a debt, Charles and his brother deeded everything to Mark H. Pettway. In 1846, Pettway and family

Claudia Pettway Charley with Eight Point Star made by her greatgrandmother Amy Pettway.

with more than a hundred slaves made the journey through the Carolinas and Georgia and into what by then was called Gee’s Bend, Alabama. Pettway brought change. Jackson writes, “… His slaves cleared more land, planted more cotton and built their master a ‘big house,’ which he named Sandy Hill. Gee’s Bend became, according to one student of the region (Nancy Callahan), ‘a dukedom in the vast Southern cotton empire,’ and there Pettway lived in splendid isolation. Deep in the heart of a bulb-shaped peninsula, almost entirely surrounded by the river, Mark Pettway was free to do whatever he wished, and he did.” When emancipation freed the slaves, they all took the Pettway surname whether blood-related or not, and all stayed on the Pettway plantation, working as sharecroppers and tenant farmers. In 1895, Pettway sold the land to Adrian Sebastian Van De Graff, a Tuscaloosa attorney who ran the farm as an absentee landowner. By the 1920s, Gee’s Bend was an isolated African-American community. Farmers sold their cotton to a merchant in Camden. The price of cotton dropped in the late 1920s, and without telling the farmers, the merchant held the cotton hoping the price would go up in a few years. All the while, he kept account of what they bought, to be paid for when the cotton sold. The price of cotton did not go up before he died. His heirs

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Three Landmark Locations Ready to Serve You. Pell City Office

2950 Cogswell Avenue Pell City, AL 35125

Phone: 205-338-7623

t! Newes

Moody Office

2460 Moody Parkway Moody, AL 35004

Phone: 205-702-6565

American Share Insurance is not a federal or state government agency. Membersâ€™ accounts are not insured or guaranteed by any government or government sponsored agency. This institution is not federally insured.

Fairfield - Main Office

5705 Valley Road Fairfield, AL 35064

Phone: 205-783-9100

www.landmarkcu.net

Traveling the

BACKROADS saw only what the farmers owed — and the farmers’ held cotton had “disappeared.” In 1932, the merchant’s heirs sent men to Gee’s Bend to collect. And collect they did, taking everything — household goods, cows, mules, pigs, seed for next-year’s planting. The pillaging left the people destitute. Jackson quotes a Christian Century article by Rev. Renwick C. Kennedy, “In October and November, 68 families, 368 people, were ‘broken up’ or ‘closed out’ — Alabama phrases that described both a physical condition and a psychological state.” The stricken people faced the winter with the real prospect of starvation. Jackson writes that they survived through the help of both the Red Cross and a compassionate Wilcox County plantation owner who provided assistance with cornmeal and food. From this poverty came the quilters thrift of salvaging still usable portions of worn-out overalls and clothing to make cover to pile on beds for warmth in an unheated, cardboardthin house. These quilts are documented in Gee’s Bend: The Women and their Quilts and The Quilts of Gee’s Bend. Tinnie Pettway commented about this use of worn-out clothing, saying, “…In those old quilts, to have a different color…they would rip seams (of overalls), and where the seams had been folded, (it was) still holding its color. They’d sew it together.” This gave them shades of blue in the pieces. She also told of the competition between the quilters. “They wanted to see which one could make the best quilt — even out of those ragged pieces they had. In spite of the lack of material, they used whatever they could find.” Tinnie and her sister, Minnie, made the quilt, Robust, of worn overall denim scraps. Note the splash of red in the lower right — a counterpoint of hope in a field of lonesome blue. Claudia was asked, “Do you think any of the quilts reflected the distress of what the people were going through?” She responded thoughtfully, “It’s possible. (When) you look at some of the old quilts and what they used for material — croaker sacks … overalls. … I think it was according to the attitude of the time, … using what they had available. They said to themselves, ‘We’re gonna survive regardless of what anyone says or what anyone does.’ “You know, growing up in the country like that, it makes you a survivor. Gee’s Bend was like a forgotten community — totally. So, we depended on each other. We depended on the farming, eating off the land, doing anything we could do at that time for survival. And it makes today seem simple.” In Claudia’s quilt, Crimson Blues, she has created a sense of tension in the shapes and placement of red, blue and black pieces. The themes of despair and hope seem to throb through Gee’s Bend quilters’ blood and come to life in their quilts. Drive for more than quilt-making Not only was there a determination to survive physically, but there was also the struggle for basic citizen’s rights, such as the right to vote. Tinnie Pettway remembers that well. “I went over to register to vote, and they put me in a little room in the courthouse. It just had one door. Finally, it got dark, and I looked up, and there was these three men standing right in the door looking at

DeLon Charley, Claudia Pettway Charley, Amy Sherald, Tinnie Pettway, Minnie Pettway.

me. I just looked at them, and they backed out. I don’t know why they was looking at me, trying to frighten me or not. I don’t know. But they backed out, and finally I was able to register to vote. They sent me my card saying that I qualified.” Claudia’s aunt, Minnie Pettway, recalled the same intimidation and that the officials threw away her first registration forms. “Threw them in the garbage!” But she kept trying. “A lot of people wouldn’t go. I guess they were somewhat afraid, but my daddy wasn’t afraid of nothing, so I just went along with him.” Finally, as a result of a court hearing in Selma, Minnie was a registered voter. “When we were declared registered voters, whenever there was an election, we went to the polls and voted.” Tinnie, Minnie, and others from Gee’s Bend marched in Camden, the county seat for the right to vote. “Most of the people who was marching was not the educated people … many of them were afraid to march. They were afraid of their jobs — that they would lose their jobs,” Minnie remembered. “My daddy (Eddie Pettway Sr.), used to get truckloads of people and take them to Camden to register to vote, and they would put them all in jail. Then a day or two later, my daddy would go back with his truck and try to bond them out of jail. … Daddy went to get them, but they would go back a day or two later protesting again.” Eddie Pettway Sr., who was Claudia’s grandfather, marched at Edmund Pettus Bridge with others from Gee’s Bend. “They ran over them with horses,” Minnie recalled, “and would spray them with tear gas. My daddy would drag the ladies out of the area where the tear gas was strong.” The determination to keep on until rights were won seems to be sewn in Tinnie’s Gee’s Bend Geometric Trails quilt of multi-colored panels bordered by panels of red and gray — no curves in these trails, they lead straight ahead to the goal. When asked if the young folk today realized the struggles of their grandparents, she replied, “They don’t, really. My grandkids, Claudia’s kids, they enjoy listening to the stories, but they just can’t imagine going through that.” Not only could the younger generation not comprehend what the struggle had been, but neither could the crowds at the museums when Gee’s Bend quilters appeared at exhibits.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

MB Metro Bank “Come Home To Us”

Firm Foundation. Deep Roots. Lasting Legacy.

Est.

1989

w ww. m e t ro b a n k p c . c o m (205) 884-2265

Traveling the

BACKROADS The women traveled from museum to museum for each exhibit of their “works of art” in galleries across the USA. “We would talk,” Tinnie remembered, “and tell the people how it was coming up in Gee’s Bend and the struggle we had here. … What we were telling (about our lives) was unimaginable (to them). “When our bus would come in (to a museum), they’d be standing out like the president was coming. And they would just hug us, and some of ‘em were crying, and I thought, ‘My God, these are just quilts!’ … We had lived with these quilts a lifetime. They wasn’t art to us as (they were) to the people we were taking them to. “It was almost unbelievable,” she remembered. “That’s when I had my first flight — to a museum in California. That’s the first time I got on a plane, and I’m telling you, that was something. I was kind of afraid when I got on there, but once that plane took off, I thought, ‘Well, I might as well settle down, cause I’m up here now, and they’re not gonna take me back.’” She chuckled at the memory and continued. “It was joyous time. I had my first time to eat goat cheese on one of those trips. … A lot of those quilters didn’t like that goat cheese, but I liked that goat cheese, and I’d say, well give me your goat cheese!” Claudia’s wish is that upcoming generations will find hope and success because of the struggles of the past and that they will continue the quilting heritage of Gee’s Bend. “We don’t want it to become a dying art. We want to continue to keep the quilting in the forefront of not just artists but quilters and everyday people. We (quilters) have to find like-minded people to know where that place is, and from there it grows.” She is hopeful that soon, innovative and spontaneous quilting will take root in Pell City and St. Clair County. Remembrance of past, hope for future In their interviews, both Claudia and her Mom talked about Gee’s Bend’s isolation, poverty, struggle for survival, and the progress that had been made by the community’s determination and resourcefulness. “Things are much better now,” Tinnie said. “Education is much better. We’ve got some very good kids that have grown up here — doctors, lawyers, nurses — that came from Gee’s Bend in spite of its beginnings.” The post-slavery trials and tribulations of our African-American citizens in Wilcox County’s Gee’s Bend, with its injustice and inhumanity, echo in all of Alabama’s counties. A little delving into St. Clair County’s 19th Century estate records expose that inhumanity. However, the subtlety of injustice lies in the fact that it may fall upon anyone, regardless of race, color or belief. But like those brilliant colors splashing through Gee’s Bend quilts, hope brightens the future. And this must be a determined hope for all.

Tinnie expressed it this way in a poem: I’m not giving up in this life Although there may be some strife It may be sometime I have to wait I know it’s never too late. From this life I won’t retire To be productive is a lifelong desire I’ll go on, no, I won’t die A new lease of life I have acquired I feel now I’m more blessed And I truly know I fear less I also know I have to press I want what I want and won’t settle for less I will achieve, I see my goals I won’t stop, no I won’t fold Through the wind storm, rain or cold To my faith and His hand I’ll continue to hold. In this poem, Determined, from her book, Gee’s Bend Experience, Tinnie expresses hope, faith and determination. And in her quilts and daughter Claudia’s quilts, the careful observer can hear those three harmonies swirling in a crescendo of cloth and color to proclaim to the world Hallelujah! Amen! l

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Facelift Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Rejuvenation) Abdominoplasty Breast Augmentation Breast Lift Liposuction

Make the right choice

When you choose a plastic surgeon, you want an experienced surgeon you can trust. Dr. Shelby Eich is a board certified plastic surgeon and a third generation Alabamian, who specializes in putting his patients first. With plastic surgery as his exclusive practice, he knows the special needs and desires of his patients. His oﬃce is an accredited surgery center which enables most patients to never step foot in a hospital, oﬀering them the privacy they want. Choosing the right plastic surgeon for you is a monumental decision. Make it easier with Dr. Shelby Eich, a plastic surgeon with the skills and experience you can trust.

Mommy Makeovers Body Contouring after Weight Loss Rhinoplasty Botox & Juvéderm Treatment of Skin Cancers

200 Pilot Medical Drive, Suite 100 Birmingham, AL 35235-3445

(205) 856-6155

www.eichplasticsurgery.com

THE WAIT IS OVER

Premiere Cinertainment

OPENS ITS DOORS IN PELL CITY Story by Linda Long Photos by Graham Hadley and Wallace Bromberg Jr.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair â€¢ February & March 2019

Heads up, Pell City and environs, Cinertainment has come to town, and there’s nothing else like it anywhere around. When people talk about the ‘wow factor,’ this place defines it. Take it from Mark Vaughan, facility director of the 47,892-squarefoot facility, which houses seven theatres with reclining seats, 12 bowling lanes, a café and bar, and an arcade complete with zip-line – all under one huge roof.

Parking lot filled on opening day as people gathered for movies, the ropes course, bowling, skee-ball and more. 23

Premiere Cinertainment The name is a derivative of the words, cinema and entertainment, but that barely begins to describe the multiplex, multifaceted attraction. As Vaughan explained, the innovative concept is geared toward serving as a destination point, drawing patrons from Lincoln, Leeds, Anniston, Oxford and Talladega. “Of course, we would love to draw from the Birmingham area as well, but those cities are where we expect to get our customers,” said Vaughn. Ten years in the planning and construction phase, Cinertainment opened its doors in January to record crowds. As Vaughan points out, the facility was a long time coming but well worth the wait. “We offer something for just about everybody,” he said. Mayor Bill Pruitt, who cut the ribbon on opening night and took his turn on the zip line, echoed the sentiment, crediting multiple city administrations; St. Clair Economic Development Council; developer Bill Ellison, president of I-20 Development; and St. Clair County Commission. “This very well could be the single most important date in Pell

Mayor Bill Pruitt takes turn on zip line opening night.

Checking out reclining seats in one of the theaters

Bowler tries out a lane 24

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Zip line and arcade

Premiere Cinertainment City history,” Pruitt said, making a joke about Facebook and the years of discussions and comments from an impatient community. “This is the fourth administration to have this dream, he said, singling out former Mayors Adam Stocks, Bill Hereford and Joe Funderburg. “Joe worked diligently,” he said. Ground was broken on the complex just past the end of Funderburg’s term and the beginning of Pruitt’s. “I deserve no credit for this,” Pruitt continued. “I am just honored to be a part of this and to be able to stand here tonight. After walking around inside and seeing this place, it was well worth the wait.” The mayor also talked of Ellison’s role. He said Premier Cinema CEO Gary Moore told him how excited he was to finally meet Ellison a couple of years back. He remembered Moore telling him, “ ‘ Who in the heck is this Bill Ellison who keeps calling me about bringing this movie theater to Pell City?’ ” Ellison, long known for his persistence in recruiting business to Pell City, recalled, “I stayed on him. I kept calling him and telling him about Pell City. We started building a relationship, and it progressed to the point that we could put the right people together to make it happen.” Ellison noted that it indeed was a team effort of the city and county, noting that St. Clair EDC Executive Director Don Smith played a major role in “putting the package together.” Moore agreed, saying Smith and City Manager Brian Muenger’s support for the project ensured its success. “Without their support and enthusiasm, this project would never have happened.” He added thanks to Funderburg as well. So now the dream is finally reality. “It’s not only a great thing for Pell City,” said St. Clair Commissioner Tommy Bowers, “it’s a great thing for St. Clair County.” Moore took it a step further. “This is a destination attraction. It will draw from counties from miles around. It is a lifestyle enhancement, we think, of great proportions.” He’s right. From 12 state-of-the-art bowling lanes to seven “luxury experience” movie theaters, an indoor zip line and

City, county, company officials make official cut 26

Self-serve popcorn and pizza delivered to your theater door

obstacle course, Cinertainment’s management take their nightout-on-the-town experience to a whole new level. “We’re offering what we call the ultimate luxury in movie going,” said Vaughan. “All the seats are reclining. The recliners are electrically powered in all auditoriums, complete with USB ports and swivel tables for dining. Movie goers may order their food. We’ll give you a buzzer. When your food is ready, we’ll buzz you and you go right to your theater door to get your meal.” As Vaughan explained, “this way you can have your popcorn and Coke or a full meal right there at your own table.” The expanded food and beverage options are expected to be a huge draw, with a full-service kitchen, a pub and full bar, offering four top drafts, four light beers and four craft beers from local breweries. Food choices include pizza, hamburgers, grilled chicken, wings, onion rings, fried green tomatoes, chef salad and fried pickles. For those who might want to work off some of those calories, Cinertainment offers a zip line and an obstacle course. And, of course let’s not forget the arcade. “Our game room has about 46 different games. “You can redeem points here, then take them to the redemption center to see what you can buy,” said Vaughan. “We’ve got winnings ranging from trinkets to an Xbox.” The facility also offers space for private events such as birthday parties and business meetings. “We’ve even gotten a couple of churches interested in holding Sunday services here. Like I said, something for everybody,” said Vaughan. l Cinertainment is located at 2200 Vaughan Lane in Pell City. For more photos and video, go to discoverstclair.com. – Carol Pappas contributed to this story.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Pell City’s Landmark Steak House for over 50 Years!

A Mortgage That Fits* Fits

Let Teresa’s 17 years of experience find YOUR perfect fit to fund your home dream.

DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS 10:30-4:00

OPEN 10:30 - 9:00 7 DAYS A WEEK

PELL CITY STEAK HOUSE RESTAURANT

2401 Comer Avenue, Corner of Hwy. 231 & Comer Avenue 1.3 miles south of I-20

*Mention this ad to receive $100 off your closing cost

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

NMLS# 201456

205-338-7714 • Menu Line 205-338-7724

Locally owned and operated by Joe Wheeler VOTED BEST MEAT N THREE Tender Choice Steaks | Hamburger Steaks | Jumbo Shrimp from the Gulf VOTED BEST ONION RINGS Fresh Catfish (Whole or Filet) | Southrn Fried Chicken (worth the wait) VOTED BEST Home Fried Onion Rings | Homemade Pies and Cobbler BEST PIES

“Book your special event or corporate meeting in our private dining room”

Funding Home Dreams

1904 Indian Lake Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244 Phone: 205-444-5866 Cell: 205-405-0603 teresa@fundinghomedreams.com

Real People. Real Life Stories. When my mother had the beginnings of dementia, she was in Birmingham, and I was in Pell City. Working full time, I couldn’t be there. But Always There could, and they helped her with the things she needed to remain independent -- taking her grocery shopping, making sure she got the right medications at the right time, being a companion. Always There allowed her to stay in her own home and took the worries away from my siblings and I when we couldn’t be there for her. -- Carol P.

• Companionship • Care Management • Errands • Laundry • Light Housekeeping

• Bathing and Grooming • Dressing • Escorts for shopping and appointments • Meal Preparation

When you can’t be there, Always There can.

30 Comer Avenue Suite 1 Pell City, AL 35125 Visit AlwaysThereInc.com

205-824-0224

Teresa Carden,

Mortgage Consultant

Bothwell-Embry-Campbell House Stately Ashville home a landmark with storied history

Fluted Doric columns grace the front of the Bothwell-EmbryCampbell House in Ashville.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair â€˘ February & March 2019

Story by Elaine Hobson Miller Photos by Susan Wall Several families have left their mark on Ashville’s 183-year-old BothwellEmbry-Campbell House. The widow of the first owner obtained a license to operate a tavern within its walls. The next family raised 12 children there. An ophthalmologist reportedly used some upstairs rooms for a temporary office. His widow is rumored to have spent $60,000 on renovations to the house and grounds that included lowering the ceilings, installing an HVAC system and building a 20-by40-foot heated, in-ground swimming pool with a waterfall. Fortunately, the original character and dignity of the two-story frame, classic revival house, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been retained. Its four fluted, Doric columns still stand on the front veranda. The original handsawn clapboards still cover the outside walls, and the second-floor balcony still hangs without visible support. In the backyard is the original four-seater outhouse. It was its stateliness as well as its history that attracted the current owners, James and Barbara Mask, to Bothwell-Embry-Campbell House. “She saw it in a real estate ad and had to have it,” James says. “She has filled it with antiques she bought at garage sales, flea markets and antique shops.” They’ve lived in the house since the spring of 2015. Built in 1835-36 by Ashville’s second physician, Dr. James J. Bothwell, the original structure contained only four rooms, two up and two down. At that time, the kitchen was in the backyard, as was customary for the period. In 1852, Dr. Bothwell added a dining room, kitchen and back porch. After his death, Mrs. Bothwell got a license to operate a tavern in her home. In 1857, she sold all her Ashville holdings and moved to Mississippi to be near her father’s people. Her cousin, Payton Rowan, bought the house and sold it several years later to W.T. Hodges. In 1880, Hodges sold it to Judge Leroy F. Box, who gave it to his daughter, Lula, as a wedding gift when she married young Ashville attorney James E. Embry in 1882. Soon after moving in, the Embrys added a large master bedroom

The dining room maintains its historic feel.

One of the upstairs bedrooms has a sitting area near the fireplace.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Bothwell-Embry-Campbell House

An old-fashioned, galvanized metal bathtub with a wooden rim is displayed in the center of the upstairs bathroom.

downstairs and enclosed the back porch, turning it into a hallway. Their having 12 children may explain the 1917 addition of two upstairs bedrooms. That addition changed the rear roofline of the house, while maintaining the integrity of the original structure. In 1978, Dr. Lamar M. Campbell and his wife, Rebecca, purchased the house and filled it with their own antiques. Neighbors have told James Mask that Dr. Campbell had his office and possibly an examination room at the rear of the second floor before moving his office to Springville. After her husband’s death, Mrs. Campbell continued her extensive renovations, adding the HVAC system, the pool and pool house. During the eight years she lived there alone, she bought and sold antiques, storing them in the upstairs rooms while she lived primarily in the back of the downstairs area. It was the constant in and out of furniture that necessitated the only change the Masks have made to the upstairs. “We reworked and repainted the second-level foyer, because the walls had been skinned with the constant moving of furniture up and down the stairs,” says James. They painted and papered most of the downstairs rooms in various colors and patterns, leaving the green woodwork alone. They haven’t made any structural changes. Mrs. Campbell lowered most of the downstairs ceilings to accommodate the heating and air conditioning ducts. “The house is easy to heat and cool,” James says. “It has six fireplaces, and four were converted to gas by Mrs. Campbell.” The house also has its two original chimneys made of

Barbara’s granddaughter and then her own mother used this suite that’s now in an upstairs bedroom.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Another fourposter bed has an antique trunk at its foot.

NEW LOGO | NEW COLORS

SAME BANKERS You may know us as Valley National Bank. Now, just call us Valley. The way we refer to ourselves may be new. But what isn’t new is our dedication to helping you achieve your financial goals. As a mid-sized regional bank, we’re proud to offer you all the advantages of a large financial institution with the personalized service of a small one. This is banking with flexibility—how, where and when you want it. PELL CITY 1930 Martin Street South

Valley.com

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

800.522.4100

Barbara furnished the room to the right of the downstairs foyer as a parlor.

The kitchen is a combination of old and new, with its Hoosier cabinet, a fireplace (not seen here) and its modern appliances.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair â€˘ February & March 2019

Bothwell-Embry-Campbell House hand-pressed brick. They serve the two upstairs and downstairs rooms in the original part of the house. In addition, the master bedroom added by the Embrys has a chimney, and the kitchen has an inside one that also served the old kitchen, according to an anonymous article on the house in the Ashville Archives and Museum’s files. All the mantels and trim are original to the house, but Mrs. Campbell had them pulled out and refinished. Originally, the house was lighted by candles and oil lamps. Several old chandeliers have been wired for electricity. James was amazed at how solid the house was when he bought it, considering its age. “There’s not a rotten piece of lumber in it,” he says. The framework is made of massive timbers jointed and pegged together. The foundation joists are made of hand-hewn heart pine that is notched and fitted. The four rooms of the oldest section of the house have their original heart pine floors, also fitted together with joints and pegs. Mrs. Campbell had those floors refinished, too. The Masks have furnished the large room to the right of the downstairs foyer as a parlor, while the room to the left of the foyer is a formal dining room. In the parlor are a working Victrola and a set of records that Barbara picked up at an estate sale, and a 1930s-era radio that James bought for $15. “I bought it to restore the cabinet, but when I got it home, I discovered it actually works,” he says. A door at the rear of the foyer leads to the back hall, master bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom is split, with a toilet in its own closet on one side of a small hall and a clawfoot tub that was in the house when the Campbells purchased it on the other. Behind the master bedroom is a large den that has a trap door leading to a tiny, dry basement with a headroom of 5.5 feet. It’s where the heating and air conditioning unit, the hot water heater and water pipes are located. When high winds or tornadoes threaten Ashville, James keeps that trap door open. “We’ve had to go down there a time or two since we’ve lived here,” he says. Another outside door also leads to the basement. According to one of their neighbors, there was a tunnel under the house during the War Between the States. Supposedly, slaves came and went through that tunnel, which led to the back of the property. “Sometimes they (possibly the Hodges family) hid their slaves in that tunnel, so I’m told,” says James. “They hid their livestock in Horse Pens 40.” He has been unsuccessful in finding the location of the tunnel. The modern kitchen is the third for the house. The first was outside where the swimming pool is now, according to the Masks. The second was added by the Embrys and is now a laundry room. The formal dining room leads into the kitchen with its breakfast nook. The kitchen, in turn, leads into the laundry room. An 1835 coin is embedded in the handrail of the staircase that leads from the foyer to the second floor. The staircase has a hand-carved curved newel post, and there is an ornamental pattern hand-carved into the stringer. On the second floor there’s a large bedroom to the right of the foyer, with a walk-in closet behind it. “That’s my favorite,” James says, as he ushers a visitor into the bedroom. “I would choose it if we slept upstairs.” To the left of the foyer are two more bedrooms, one leading into another, with a small room at the back that may have been Dr. Campbell’s office when he moved to the house. It’s used for storage now. Two features make the upstairs bathroom a bit quirky. First

The original outhouse or privy is still on the property.

This coin is embedded in the handrail of the staircase that leads from the foyer to the second floor.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Bothwell-Embry-Campbell House Barbara likes to can fruits and vegetables, and the laundry room has plenty of space to store them.

of all, it’s as large as most modern bedrooms. Second, it has an antique, galvanized metal tub smack in the middle. “Mrs. Campbell was so attached to this tub that she gave it its own room,” James jokes. It was the first tub in the house when plumbing was installed, but it isn’t connected to the water pipes now. It’s strictly for show. At the front of the house is the upstairs porch or balcony, which has no visible means of support. It is cantilevered off the floor joists of the oldest section of the house. “People probably sat on this porch and watched the Indians ride by on their ponies, then saw Confederate soldiers march through town and then the Union soldiers,” James says. Nowadays, the traffic noise of US 231 (Fifth Avenue), which the house faces, drowns out a person’s thoughts on the porch, especially in the afternoons when Ashville schools let out. Once upon a time, a brick driveway encircled the house, but Mrs. Campbell’s renovations chopped it up. She enclosed a porch at the back and turned it into a den, then built a sunroom over one section of the brick. Above the sunroom is a deck. Mrs. Campbell also built the garage, which is next to the privy. The latter is divided into two spaces, one for men, the other for women. (James says the structure next to the privy is the original corncrib, but articles at the Ashville Museum and Archives call it a smokehouse.) Beyond the sunroom is the pool, with its own screened-in picnic room on one side, and a bathhouse on the other. “We use the pool a lot,” Barbara Mask says. “Our grandkids and great-grandkids enjoy it, too.” One grandson recently used the house and grounds for his wedding and reception. Behind the privy lies a vast expanse of lawn that includes several pecan trees. A fence encloses the nearly 4 acres of land and delineates the property line. The house and grounds encompass an entire city block. In the front yard is the latticed well house, with its hand-carved pineapple finial. The only nails in this structure are ones used in repairs through the years. James can vouch for the purity and taste of the well water. “When I work in the yard in the summer, I often draw a cup to drink,” he says. The Masks love the house but have put it up for sale because health issues are making it difficult to maintain it, the pool and the grounds. Their hope is that the next owners will appreciate its history as much as they do. l

The clawfoot tub in the downstairs bathroom was in the Bothwell-EmbryCampbell house when the Campbells purchased it.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

D iscover St. Clair Outdoors

2019 edition

Story by Loyd McIntosh Submitted Photos Discover Archive Photos

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” — Margaret Atwood The promise of another spring is just around the corner. Time to shake off the fog of winter, as well as the handful of pounds many gained waiting for the wet, cold and gray misery of winter to finally come to an end. Spring is a time to put the remote control down, shut off the cell phone, get outdoors, learn a new skill, and, most importantly, have some fun! St. Clair County is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, and there are a ton of local experts ready to help you take advantage of the many outdoor activities available just outside the front door. Regardless of your physical fitness level or knowledge of a new interest, the only limit is your imagination and willingness to try to something new. The following is just a sample of some of the activities you can do throughout the county.

From hunting to climbing to cycling: Not one single reason to stay inside DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Bouldering at Horse Pens 40 DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair â€¢ February & March 2019

St. Clair Outdoors Paddling at soon-to-be Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville

Yak the Creek kayaker on Big Canoe Creek near Ashville 38

KAYAKING BIG CANOE CREEK More and more people are learning about the great kayaking and canoeing along Big Canoe Creek, a 50-plus-mile-long waterway snaking through St. Clair County and part of the Big Canoe Creek Watershed. One of the most ecologically diverse in the state, Big Canoe Creek is home to more than 50 species of fish and one of the healthiest populations of mussels in the country. The creek is also stunningly beautiful, and one of the best ways to experience it is in a kayak. “Our creek has lots of wildlife on it,” says Randall Van, owner and operator of Yak Tha Creek, a small business providing kayaking experiences based in Ashville. Among the species of fish are alligator gar, crappie, brim and red eye bass. Van says many of his customers are anglers who want to fish the creek from kayaks. “I have a lot of fishers that come to me and want to fish the day out there, fishing on the edges, and find them a little hole where there’s a deep spot to fish because our water goes from ankle-deep to 12 to 15 feet deep.” Even if fishing isn’t your thing, kayaking Big Canoe Creek is a spectacular way to appreciate the natural wonder of St. Clair County. The section of the creek Van runs his business on and uses for personal kayaking is very secluded, keeping the modern distractions from the natural habitats to a minimum. Even an expert like Van is surprised from time to time at what he encounters when on the water. “I’ve been down it many times with my wife and all of a sudden a deer will cross the creek in front of you,” he says. “We had a bald eagle visit the creek several times last year to go fishing itself. Lots of neat stuff like that can be happened upon while you’re out there. “This is part of the thrill and why I enjoy it so much,” he adds. “You just never know what you’re going to kayak up to.”

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

PELL CITY 205.338.2821 Monday- Friday 7:30-5:00, Sat. 7:30-12:00

210 Hardwick Rd., Pell City, AL PELLCITYCOOP2017@GMAIL.NET Facebook.com/StClairFarmersCoop

GUN STORE, BOWSHOP, HUNTING GEAR, CAMO

Hunters come in & check out our large selection.

•Chemicals •Greenhouse •Nursery Archery Shop •Feed •Seed •Fertilizer •Equipment

St. Clair Outdoors BIRD WATCHING If you’re interested in something a little less strenuous or just want a more relaxed experience in the outdoors, bird watching might be just the thing for you. Thanks to the county’s diverse natural resources and location along the flight path for many interesting species, St. Clair County offers ample opportunities to see an array of birds on their way to and from locations as far-flung as the Arctic Circle to South America. “During the spring you’ll definitely get a lot of spring migrants,” says Joe Watts, president of Birmingham Audubon and the author of Alabama Birding Trails (alabamabirdingtrails. com). “There are several hundred birds that migrate through Alabama each spring and fall, and some actually stop in Alabama and spend the summer here.” According to Watts, many birds that make their way to our neck of the woods launch from the Dauphin Island-Gulf Shores area when the wind is ideal, allowing them to make the trip several hundred miles north. “Sometimes they’ll fly all the way to St. Clair and Jefferson counties to the first line of the Appalachian Mountains, and then they’ll settle,” explains Watts. “They’re going as far as they can until they’re worn completely out.” Among the birds you’re likely to see during the spring include the rose-breasted grosbeak, indigo buntings and hawks, which are plentiful during the spring and fall along the ridges of Horse Pens 40. On Logan Martin Dam, wading birds are common sights, such as the black-crowned night heron and other similar species that feed on the fish along the rocky shoreline of the lake. The majestic bald eagle, with its wingspan of up to 7.5 feet, can also be viewed throughout the area. Other areas around the county that are great for bird watching include Ten Islands Historic Park, where visitors can see bluewinged warblers, along with prairie warblers and white-eyed vireos beginning in March, and Neely Henry Dam, where a variety of gulls, such as Ring-billed, Bonaparte’s and Herrings, as well as cliff and barn swallows, are visible throughout the spring. To get started, all you need is a willingness to get outdoors and patience. A nice pair of binoculars is the perfect complement. BOULDERING AT HORSE PENS 40 One of the most physically challenging activities around the county has to be bouldering at Horse Pens 40. However, if you’re up to the challenge, your hard work will be rewarded. Increasingly, the nature park situated on Chandler Mountain is gaining a reputation for some of the best bouldering in the nation – if not the world. Made up of rare combinations of sandstone with bands of iron throughout, the rock formations at Horse Pens 40 are tightly condensed and due to the uniqueness of the formation, provide a more challenging climbing experience. “A lot of places that people go to boulder you have to walk a quarter of a mile to get to the next climb, but here it’s all laid out back-toback like it would be in a gym,” says Ashley Ensign, assistant manager at Horse Pens 40. The rock formations at Horse Pens 40 pushed up from underground with evidence to suggest the formations were under water for millions of years. This process led to the tops of the rocks being rounder and smoother than most rocks, forming what is known as “slopers” in the bouldering world.

Blue winged warbler

Horse Pens 40 Slopers are more of a challenge to climb than flat top rocks, making Horse Pens 40 an attractive location for bouldering enthusiasts around the world. “We’re known as the sloper top out capital of the world,” says Ensign. “It’s like you’re trying to grip a ball to pull up on the top. It is a lot more challenging because you have to squeeze. That’s what I hear people say every day. You have to grip the sides and hug it.” On a typical weekend, up to 200 people can be found bouldering on the 40 acres of rock formations at Horse Pens 40, many of them coming from locations thousands of miles away. They have heard about the great climbing and the park and made the trek to Steele, Alabama, to check it out. “Recently we’ve had people from Colorado, Canada and even from Japan. It’s just that well-known within the climbing world.”

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

We are specialists in financing: • Timberland • Farmland • Recreational property • Country homes and homesites Alabama Farm Credit Talladega Credit Office (256) 362-0507 AlabamaFarmCredit.com

• Farm operating expenses • Equipment • Agribusiness operations Jim Tollison, Jr., Vice-President Jim.Tollison@AlabamaFarmCredit.com

SAFETY St. Clair Outdoors Story and photos by Graham Hadley Wallace Bromberg Jr. Submitted Photos

The muzzle blast from this Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine lights up an overcast afternoon. Always have vintage firearms checked out by a professional before firing them.

FIRST Firearms, Bows, Hunting & More St. Clair County and the surrounding areas are a hunter’s paradise. The same goes for anyone who enjoys firearms or bows – whether it is a youth archery meet or a national competition at the nearby Civilian Marksmanship Park, there is something for everyone here. Miles of hunting preserves and dedicated ranges draw people from all over the state and even the nation. There are private hunting clubs and specific organizations that cater to youth shooting events.

As much fun as these events are, because of the very nature of the tools involved, safety must come first. That is true of everything from bows to BB guns, from .22 LR pistols to .30-06 long guns. Even black-powder guns have their own safety needs. And just like with the guns and bows, there is a list of procedures and rules designed to keep hunters safe out in the field. That covers everything from wearing appropriate clothing to making sure you properly set up your tree stand.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

St. Clair Outdoors FIREARM SAFETY When it comes to gun ownership, most of these rules apply across the board. Because of the risk of serious injury or death from mishandling firearms, safety rules should be considered an absolute. And the first step, preferably before you purchase your first gun, is to take a course on how to safely handle guns. These classes not only teach you how to prevent accidents, they also usually teach you how to effectively shoot the gun. As an added bonus, every gun handles differently, so getting to try out a wide range of firearms will help you to choose a gun that fits you best and that meets your needs. These classes will also teach you about the laws regarding firearms in Alabama – age restrictions, carry regulations and what hunting licenses are needed. Some law-enforcement agencies in the region offer free classes, while other private businesses offer firearms training for a fee. The latter will often focus on specific areas of training, covering things like hunting techniques and personal defense. As the most common gun-safety saying goes, “Treat every gun as if it is loaded.” But, according to the CMP, there are a number of other basic safety rules to follow: • ALWAYS keep your guns unloaded until they must be ready for use. If there is no need to load a firearm until later, don’t. • ALWAYS check for any obstruction in the barrel whenever

there is reason to suspect a blockage. Bore obstructions are a major source of gun explosions.

• ALWAYS positively identify your target and be sure there is

a safe backstop behind it before you shoot.

• ALWAYS hold your gun so that you can control the direction

the muzzle points if you fall or stumble.

• NEVER mix alcohol or drugs with shooting. Anyone

handling and firing a gun must have a clear mind and be constantly alert.

• NEVER allow any gun to point at you or pull a gun toward

you by grasping its muzzle.

• NEVER attempt to load or unload a gun inside a vehicle or

building (except a properly constructed indoor range); there usually is no safe direction to point the muzzle.

• NEVER shoot at a hard object or flat surface or at water.

Bullets can glance off hard materials like rock, glass or steel, or skip off the surface of water to fly in unpredictable and sometimes dangerous directions.

• NEVER set a loaded gun down or leave an unattended gun

loaded. When a gun is loaded it should be controlled in the hands of a person who intends to fire it. If you must set a gun down, always unload it first. These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to gun safety rules. And every gun has its own safety issues. For instance, black-powder guns are often not classified by the government the same way other firearms are, but are still,

A trigger lock is a simple and safe way to secure a firearm. at the end of the day, guns, and should be treated as such, said Lee Weyhrich, operator of Old South Firearms in Argo. Old South specializes in black powder and collectable guns. And, with those guns in particular, being careful how you handle the gunpowder and load the guns is very important. “Always be aware of the explosive nature of black powder. You are working with an explosive and loading it yourself,” he said. One key rule is in how you store your weapon. Gun safes, trigger locks and other devices are all good ways to keep your weapon secure when not in use. Every year, accidental discharges maim or kill hundreds of people. It is essential to keep your guns under lock and key when not in use. Eye and ear protection are also essential – and not just from mishaps. Protecting your hearing and eyes is necessary when shooting any kind of gun. This is true of all firearms, but black-powder weapons in particular. “With a flintlock, eye protection is a must because the flashpan can blow up in your face,” Weyhrich said. And before you take any heirloom gun or used firearm out to the range, always have it checked over by a professional. “We see many people who don’t even know what caliber weapon they have received,” he said. And old military guns can be tricky and dangerous. For instance, the Japanese Arisaka gun used in World War II had a variant used in training that was designed to work with wooden bullets but will still chamber the real round. Safety gear for storing and securing guns, and eye and ear protection can be found at all gun stores and many retail chains that carry any sort of outdoor gear or sporting goods. Many hardware stores also carry safety gear, and gun safes in particular. These not only secure your gun for safety reasons, they protect your guns from damage and theft. If you are going to be a gun owner or participate in shooting sports and hunting, be a responsible gun owner. Talk to the gun store owner where you purchase your firearm and have them go

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

KAWASKI CARES: Read Ownerâ€™s Manual and all on-product warnings. Always wear protective gear appropriate for the use of this vehicle. Never operate under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Protect the environment. The Kawaski Muleâ„˘ side x side is an off-highway vehicle only, and is not designed, equipped or manufactured for use on public streets, roads or highways . Obey he laws and regulations that control the use of your vehicle. 2018 Kawaski motor Corp., U.S.A. 19LGSMULE4W6x7c

35288 AL Hwy. 21, Talladega, AL Mon. & Sat. 9-3 Tues., Thurs. & Fri. 9-6 Closed Sunday & Wednesday

St. Clair Outdoors Eye and ear protection are a must.

over everything you need to know about your gun. Gun shops are also good places to learn about safety classes and programs and clubs promoting shooting sports in your area. “It is best to buy from a reputable dealer and learn about what you have. It is important to understand every part of your gun and how to use it, to safely understand how to load and unload it,” Weyhrich said. Guns come with instruction manuals, and he said they encourage people to pay close attention to those books. “Don’t rely on YouTube videos to teach you about your gun. Only a few of the people on there really know what they are doing. We encourage people to take their manuals out and go over them carefully.” The CMP is also a great source for training and information. And while no online information can take the place of in-person training, you can learn a lot from their online website, particularly their gun safety page: thecmp.org/safety Shooting and hunting events with instructors and professionals present also are ideal places to learn hands-on safety training, safety and shooting techniques. These events take place year-round in St. Clair County at the CMP and other facilities. BOW SAFETY According to Robert Golden, the bow tech at the St. Clair County Co-Op, most of the rules for gun safety also apply when it comes to bows. “Like guns, make sure you have the right bow for you,” he said. That includes the size and design of the

Archery competition at CEPA in Pell City

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

bow, but the length of the draw and how many pounds it takes to pull it back and hold it. “Especially if you are going to use the bow for hunting, you have to make sure you can easily draw and hold the bow for however long you are going to need to.” Bows can be every bit as dangerous as guns, so always be aware of where you are shooting and what is down range, whether you are shooting at archery targets or hunting. “You have got to know your surroundings, know what is behind your target. You don’t want to shoot over any blind rises,” Golden said. He also places plenty of emphasis on properly maintaining your equipment. “Especially strings — strings and cables can cause serious injury if they break. Make sure they are maintained” He said look for strings that are fraying, fuzzy looking or that have loose threads coming off or other obvious signs of wear. “People just don’t realize how much tension is on the strings of a modern compound bow.” And when in doubt, have it checked by a professional, he said. That goes for adjusting your bow, too. While many new compound bows that have come out in the past few years can be adjusted by the owner, older bows and some major adjustments, especially when it comes to draw length or pull, need to be put on a bow press or have the cams altered at a shop. And never use arrows that are damaged or worn out. Flex them before use and discard any that you are not sure of, Golden said. “Definitely, you want to flex your arrows, especially carbon arrows, and look for cracks and such. An arrow can actually splinter when you fire and impale your hand.” Just like guns, you want to have some training with your bow before you use it. “We have a target here at the Co-Op we can roll out if you are getting started and get you going on a safe and fun path with the sport.” There are many other basic safety rules to follow when using a bow. Some are common sense, like don’t shoot a bow straight up – “there is no telling where the arrow will come down,” Golden said. Others are not as obvious, like don’t dry-fire a bow without an arrow in it (this is true of most guns, too), it can cause injury and damage the bow, especially the cams. The string can be cut or come off a warped cam under tension. For a more complete list of safety rules, talk to a professional, like Golden, or take a training course, read books or watch videos from certified professionals.

The St. Clair Co-Op sells and services bows.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

St. Clair Outdoors

Ducks, deer, turkeys and more are hunted in Alabama.

GOOD HUNTING While gun safety plays a big part in hunting safety, it is by no means the only issue hunters should be aware of. And like gun safety, there are almost limitless sources of information for hunters. St. Clair is home to a number of programs promoting hunting, and gun and outdoors sporting goods stores are also good places to find information on hunting laws and safety rules in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website outlines the requirements for hunting licenses in the state, www.outdooralabama. com. The site also covers things like seasons and bag limits along with a huge repository of other hunting information. The internet is also a good place to start basic hunter education, with sites like Hunter-Ed.com and others providing official hunter safety courses online. Make sure that any online safety course you take is approved by the Alabama Department of Conservation. There are minimal fees for these courses, but they are a good jumping-in point for people just learning to hunt. Like any activity involving firearms or other potentially deadly weapons, like bows, online courses are not meant to replace live hunter training. And, again, there is no shortage of opportunities there. While many people learn about hunting safety from a parent or family member as they grow up, plenty of professional hunters and hunting programs exist to help with that training.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair â€˘ February & March 2019

The courses are not just a good idea for safety reasons, they are required by law before receiving a hunting permit. According to Outdoor Alabama, “If you were born on or after August 1, 1977, you must complete an approved hunter education program before purchasing a license. Hunter education is offered as early as 10 years of age but is not required until the license-buying age of 16. However, it is highly recommended to go ahead and complete the course as early as possible.” While some courses do cost money, “the traditional hunter education course is a minimum eight hours of instruction plus a written examination. The course is taught by Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries personnel and volunteer instructors to participants 10 years of age and older and is offered free of charge,” the site states. There are specific courses approved for non-firearm licensing, like bow hunting. Knowledge of basic safety rules, like wearing appropriate garments, to areas and zones where it is legal to hunt are key for anyone participating in these popular sports. And some things are obvious, like making sure you are visible to other hunters and that you understand how to safely assemble and use a tree stand. Other factors, like making sure you have the proper footwear and clothing and provisions to keep you warm during the colder hunting seasons in Alabama, are equally important.

DISCOVER - LEARN - COMPETE

CMP x

TALLADEGA MARKSMANSHIP PARK CLAYS - PISTOL - RIFLE

Hunting from a tree stand has a whole new list of safety requirements.

4387 Turner Mill Road, Talladega www.TheCMP.org 256.474.4408

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

So many things to do St. Clair Outdoors

... AT HOME AND AROUND THE CORNER

Ruffner Mountain hiker

While St. Clair County has plenty of sporting venues within its borders, when you look at the region as a whole, it’s a sportsman’s or sportswoman’s paradise. Major attractions lie within a 30-mile radius of the center of the county. Here’s a sampling of what the region has to offer: BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK Barber Motorsports Park and Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum have become must-see destinations for race and vehicle enthusiasts. The museum holds a trove of celebrated vehicles, such as the Ferrari F-158 that John Surtees drove in the 1964 Formula One World Championship, and the world’s largest collection of Lotus cars. The museum’s accumulation of more than 1,600 motorcycles, spanning over a century of production, has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest of its kind. The 880-acre motorsports park not only has a world-class

racetrack, but also hosts world-class events, such as the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama that is part of the Indianapolis 500’s IndyCar Series. The park’s 2.38-mile track with 16 challenging turns bears the design recommendations of racers John Surtees and Dan Gurney. Aspiring racers get to feel the thrill of the sport at the Porsche Track Experience. And tens of thousands of motorcycle devotees are drawn annually to the Barber Vintage Festival and to the schedule of NASA, WERA and SCCA races and Track Days. For more, see www.barberracingevents.com and www.barbermuseum.org. CMP CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park with its rifle and pistol ranges equipped with electronic targets is considered to be “America’s most advanced park.” A world-class outdoor

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Barber Motorsports Park facility, CMP is a 500-acre public range open all year. CMP has a 600-yard range with targets positioned at 200, 300 and 600 yards; a 100-yard multi-purpose range; a 50-yard pistol range; 15 action pistol bays; trap field; 5-stand field, and a 15-station sporting clays field with automated trap machines. Coming in spring 2019 are an unknown-distance rifle range and 5 skeet fields. Pricing is available for hourly and daily use. CMP also offers safety classes, clinics and CMP Games and Match events. Visit CMP’s on-site pro shop and clubhouse. Call 256-474-4408 or see cmptalladega@thecmp.org, as well as thecmp.org. RUFFNER MOUNTAIN Ruffner Mountain is a 1,040-acre urban nature preserve in the heart of Birmingham. The park offers educational programming about science and nature, 14 miles of trails, and a protected environment for thousands of species of native flora and fauna. The preserve is a site for Citizen Science programs and an array of scientific projects, such as the causes of American Chestnut Blight; native bat and amphibian surveys, and groves of newgrowth long leaf pine. Each year, thousands of students from schools and universities across the state benefit from the nature education and EcoArts programming at Ruffner Mountain. From sunrise to sunset, Ruffner Mountain’s trails are open to the public for hiking or taking a nature walk. (Bicycles and wheeled vehicles are not allowed.) Visit the preserve’s nature center Tuesday through Sunday each week to see various native animal, reptile and aquatic species. Learn more at ruffnermountain.org. ST. CLAIR COUNTY ARENA St. Clair County Arena opened in 2010 and quickly became a venue for diverse events. Barrel-racing competitions, rodeos, dog shows, Farm Day activities, and church services are just a few of the events held there. Located on 25 acres in Odenville, the arena can seat 1,500. A pavilion houses spacious restrooms and concession stand. An onsite office building also is available for events. For rental information, call 205-807-7187. TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY The most competitive track on the NASCAR schedule – Talladega Superspeedway – celebrates its 50th anniversary this

WHO IS

YOUR

PT?

TherapySouth is an outpatient physical therapy practice with a fun, family-oriented environment. For more than 30 years, Tyler McGrady and the experienced physical therapists in Pell City have built relationships with their patients and helped them achieve their physical goals. We know you have a choice for your healthcare, and we’d love for one of our great people to be your physical therapist!

Pell City | 205.338.6106 | 85 Plaza Drive www.therapysouth.com

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

St. Clair Outdoors year. The superspeedway is the longest track (2.66 miles) and has the highest banks (33 degrees) in all of NASCAR. At times racing three and four wide, the cars at Talladega reach speeds in excess of 200 mph. Likewise, the superspeedway is an exciting experience for fans. In 2018, the track and its parent company, International Speedway Corporation (ISC), announced “Transformation – The Talladega Superspeedway Infield Project.” That $50 million redevelopment includes a one-of-a-kind Garage Fan Zone Experience (140,000 square feet of social and engagement areas) that will feature “up-close” fan access to the drivers and teams, interactive attractions, WiFi, a 35,000-square-foot covered Open Air Club complete with a 41-foot diagonal video board; a new Gatorade Victory Lane; more than 300 new RV spaces configured inside the track; a new Turn 3 Oversized Vehicle Tunnel accessible 24 hours a day and able to accommodate RVs; a pit road club, and more. Talladega’s “fan-fun track,” also known as NASCAR’s “Party Capital,” features the Saturday Night Infield Concert (free with a Sunday ticket) and Friday night’s “Big One on the Blvd.” parade with fan competitions. Talladega is pivotal to the racing circuit. For example, the winner of Talladega’s GEICO 500 on April 28, 2019, secures a spot in the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship battle. (Two other races during that weekend are the Talladega 300 on April 27 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the General Tire 200 on April 26 for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.) Also, the 1000Bulbs.com 500 on Oct. 13 is the “wild card” event, the focal point of all Cup Series races in the playoffs, while the Sugarlands Shine 250 on Oct. 12 is a key race for the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series championship. Visit talladegasuperspeedway.com, or call 855-518-RACE (7223). TOP TRAILS Meander through 2,800 acres of wilderness at TOP Trails in northern Talladega County. The 100-mile maze of trails for offhighway vehicles (OHV) has become one of the most popular off-road destinations in the South, if not in the nation. The trails vary in intensity, from beginner to expert. For children is the “Kiddie Track.” Single-track bike riders will be challenged by the 12-mile Single Track Trail Loop. An on-site campground - with water, sewer and electrical services, shower house, and environmental center – along with primitive camp sites, archery range and concerts, makes TOP Trails a weekend adventure for the family. The 2019 event schedule includes: Kam’s Ride for Autism, March 23; Spring Mud Jam, May 3-5; Riding Dirty for Cancer, June 15; Party in the Park, Aug. 24; and Ride for a Cure, Sept. 13-15. For more, go to www.TOP Trails.net; call 256-649-0245 to make reservations. MILLCREEK MX PARK MillCreek MX Park boasts a national caliber motocross dirt track. The park stretches 126 acres along Roberts Mill Pond Road in Pell City and is able to accommodate 3,000 people. The park has stadium seating, lighting, parking, RV hookups, restrooms and concessions.

St. Clair Arena in Odenville

CMP Park

The 15-turn, 1.5-mile track hosts local, regional and national motocross racing, all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) racing, vintage motocross events, and side-by-side utility-task-vehicle (UTV) racing, as well as human mud runs. Nominated as AMA Track of the Year, MillCreek MX Park has been featured in televised professional ATV national events and has been the site of AMA pro racing. Get more information at www.millcreekmx.com, on Facebook and Instagram. THE RIDGE The Ridge is an all-around outdoor sporting venue in Springville. From off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails, zip lines and disc golf to hiking, fishing, rock climbing and rappelling, The Ridge is about 400 acres of adventure at almost every turn. Enjoy 35 miles of one-way, OHV trails that vary in difficulty, or the 15 miles of single-track trails for motorcycles. Youngsters get into the action on the pee-wee track and the kids-only motocross track. “Super Mo,” one of the park’s five zip lines, stretches 1,700 feet and is the longest of its kind in the state.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Also, The Ridge now has two Airsoft fields. In addition, The Ridge is the site of trail runs. Camp sites, cabins, a hotel and RV parking make The Ridge a weekend destination for the whole family. Visit The Ridgeâ€™s 12,000-square-foot clubhouse building that includes a pro shop and a repair shop for motorcycles and ATVs. Find out more at www.ridgeriding.com and on Facebook.

TOP Trails

Panther Run trail run

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair â€˘ February & March 2019

Cyclists from all around drawn to St. Clair roadways

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair â€¢ February & March 2019

St. Clair Outdoors

Why Ride? Story by Jackie Romine Walburn Submitted Photos Attracted by St. Clair County’s scenery, its lakes and quiet country roads, an annual bicycling event called the BBC 100 has grown to one of the longest-running bike rides in the country, bringing hundreds of bikers to the county and raising thousands of dollars for cancer research. The Birmingham Bicycle Club’s 46th Annual Century ride, next set for Sept. 28, 2019, has grown and prospered since selecting St. Clair County to host the ride that features routes of up to 127 miles, with scenic routes for participants to ride 14, 24, 45, 63 and the standard “century” route of 100 miles, says Chris Cole, president of the Birmingham Bicycle Club that sponsors the event. Now a part of the Alabama Backroad Century series, a series of about a dozen rides across Alabama, from north Alabama to the Gulf coast, the BBC 100 is what’s referred to as a century ride. A century ride is an event of 100 miles or more, with other distance routes offered for those wishing to partake but not ride 100 miles. Most century rides include a metric century (62 miles) and a 100-mile (or more) route. “For many, riding one century is a goal to meet in a lifetime, and for others, it is seeing how many centuries can be ridden in a year or how fast.” ST. CLAIR SCENIC AND QUIET St. Clair County was selected for the ride because of its scenery, landscapes and route options that include lakes and mountains, Cole says. Originally starting at Homestead Hollow over a much hillier route, the BBC 100 now begins and ends at Ashville High School, which offers better amenities for the starts and finishes. The beauty of the St. Clair area, Cole says, is that the club is able to devise routes allowing riders to lengthen or shorten their ride with distance changes at Neely Henry, Steele and Ashville. For the BBC Century, Neely Henry Lake is one of the rider’s favorite stretches, Cole says. “Riding a bicycle allows the scenery to be viewed at a more leisurely pace. Many spectacular views are missed when driving. Cycling can be about a set route or exploring roads, seeing where they lead to. There are some hidden gems in the county that are not well known or explored. Good examples are the views from Straight Mountain and from the top of Chandler Mountain.” In recent years, as the ride became a part of the backroad century series with Ashville High School as headquarters, participation in the BBC 100 has more than doubled. “The

St. Clair beauty, landmarks lure one of largest annual biking events last two years have seen up to 400 people come from all over Alabama and adjoining states to ride the event,” Cole says. Previously, the ride averaged 100 to 150 riders. Being a part of the Backroad Century series boosts the profile of BBC 100 and offers riders other opportunities. The series offers riders a prestige award for completing 10 races in the Alabama Backroad Century series, which attracts riders from across the Southeast. Each successful rider receives a special jersey and t-shirt and other prizes. HIGH-TECH PREP Organizers use GPS to map out the routes for BBC 100, and riders can use a special GPS application to follow the mappedout routes. The BBC event features a staggered start, based on riders’ abilities. There are several speed groups, and riders are dispatched according to those groupings, to reduce group size on the roads and for safety. The club uses the RIDE WITH GPS app, where rides can be designed at home and loaded onto Garmin or similar GPS device from the club website. These GPS mapped routes in St. Clair County are available all year long for riders visiting the area. CHOOSE A ROUTE Each century event has rest stops located at churches, schools and parks along the routes, generally every 15 to 20 miles. Riders can choose to stop at each rest point or carry on. The rest stops are generally located to be available for as many riders as possible. The BBC event has distances of 14, 25, 45, 64 100 and 127 miles. The riders can choose what they would like to ride. Each

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

St. Clair Outdoors

Cyclists begin ride from Ashville School.

route is marked with colored paint and signage at each turn point, with riders given a colored wrist band for the distance they decide to attempt. All of the routes entwine and are each marked with colored arrows painted on the road, and signage at junctions where the routes split. FILM FOOTAGE PROMOTES RIDING ST. CLAIR To publicize the event, some BBC members ride in the area with GOPRO or Cyliq cameras mounted to bicycles to film the rides. The footage is edited and used to show the area’s scenery, to boost rider safety and riding in groups safely. In the case of any incidents or accidents, the film footage is used to learn from any accidents in hope to preventing future problems. MOUNTAIN GOAT ROUTE CHALLENGE For 2018, the club added a 127-mile route nicknamed the Mountain Goat route; this longest ride follows the 100mile route then splits off after Ashville and climbs Walker’s Gap, returning to Ashville and rejoining the century route to the finish. Mastering this Mountain Goat route is part of a bike-riding Triple Crown, along with two other events, the Cheaha Challenge held in May near Jacksonville, Ala., and the Glassner Autumn Challenge near Montgomery. The Glassner ride is an October event named in honor of Dr. Jim Glassner, long-time Montgomery Bicycle Club member. The 14-and 25-mile routes are family friendly, and very flat, riding along Highway 33 and Slasham Road. Most riders who start the 14-mile route complete the 25-mile option instead, under the guidance and encouragement of club ride leaders. ST. CLAIR LANDMARKS FEATURED All the BBC 100 routes take in St. Clair’s scenery and notable landmarks. The longer routes take Greensport Road past the Coosa River (Neely Henry Lake) to McEntyre Church for the first stop. The 25-mile route takes Highway 33 and meets at McEntyre Church as well. Shortly after the church, the routes split, with the 25-mile returning to the school via Slasham Road. The 45- and 64-mile routes turn left onto Canoe Creek, with the 100- and 124-mile routes turning right onto Riddles Bend. The four longer routes remerge on Steele Station Road to head to Steele High School. This rest stop features bacon and tomato sandwiches, made with locally sourced tomatoes. After Steele, the 45- and 64-mile routes take Highway 11 and head to Ashville via Double Bridge. The 100 and 127mile route goes around Chandler Mountain, with a stop at Lake Sumatanga and returns to Steele. These two routes then head into Ashville. After the rest stop in central Ashville, the 45-mile riders follow their route to the school via Greensport Road. RIDERS AND VOLUNTEERS The BBC 100 event attracts people of all abilities, those who like to race each other and those who enjoy the scenic ride and riding with friends. The club has people from all walks of life, including students, teachers, doctors, nurses, law professionals, engineers and all ages, from early teens to retired folks, Cole says.

Two weeks before the event, a BBC team of volunteers mark the roads. One week before, those helping on the day of the event bike the routes, which helps to check markings and the GPS routes. The club uses Ride with GPS (RWGPS) which riders can use to navigate the route. The day before the event, a team will place direction and warning signs along the route. After the event, the SAG (support team for riders) collect all signage. PROMOTING CYCLING AND SAFETY Cole has seen bicycling grow in popularity as an enjoyable sport activity that most anyone can do. Bicycle clubs like Birmingham’s also promote biking safety and awareness of traffic laws regarding bicycling on public roads. “The club recommends a good bicycle and that a helmet and lights be used at all times. Alabama has a three-foot rule, meaning cars must leave at least three feet to pass,” he says. Club members bike for varying reasons, he says, noting that, “Some use cycling as a form of exercise to help with medical ailments, including asthma, diabetes, heart conditions and knee issues. Many of the club members have cycled for many years, and some are just starting out.” A PERSONAL JOURNEY A member of the Birmingham Bicycle Club since moving to Birmingham in 2012, Cole was born in Kingswinford, a suburb

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

ST. CLAIR COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY SINCE 2009

IF YOU NEED A RIDE, GIVE US A CALL!

205-338-1352

St. Clair Outdoors of Birmingham, England, where he started riding at age 13 after he was diagnosed with asthma. “My doctor recommended cycling or swimming. At that age, 15 miles on a bike seemed a long way.” Cole joined a local bike club – the Wolverhampton Wheelers – and raced in club events for many years. Cycling remained a part of his life, though not as actively. Then, when he moved to Michigan in 2002, the bicycling passion reignited. He began riding his bicycle to work every day from April to October. When he is not bicycling or planning biking events, Cole is a weld engineer for NSRW, a copper supplier for local companies including automobile manufacturers. Home in Birmingham, Ala., since 2012, the Birmingham, England native now helps build space rockets and other specialty projects. As an expert in spot welding and automation, Cole is currently working on a project in Detroit and Buffalo building part of a new space rocket for United Launch Alliance (ULA) in Decatur, Ala. Cole has served as vice president and is currently president of the BBC, which has about 230 members with at least 30 showing up regularly for club rides and participating in bike rides across the state.

Views abound

RIDING FOR CANCER RESEARCH For the last two years, BBC 100 has received sponsorships from several Birmingham based businesses which cover the cost of the events, allowing registration fees to be donated to UAB’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. The event’s ride director for many years, Wayne Spooner, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2016, and the club decided to use the BBC 100 to raise awareness of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. The club donated $15,000 to UAB’s cancer center in 2017, and a similar amount will be donated from 2018 proceeds. Spooner is in treatment for melanoma, Cole says, and still cycles regularly. Cyclists are prone to the skin cancer due to long exposures to harmful sun rays, and in the last two years, several club members have had pre-melanoma blemishes removed, Cole said. RIDING ST. CLAIR YEAR ROUND Even when not planning for the big BBC 100 ride, club members often bike in St. Clair County just for the fun and beauty of it. Club and group rides sometimes bicycle from Birmingham to St. Clair County locations. Some of these rides include Crawford Cove, Beason Cove and Straight Mountain. Other routes from Birmingham take riders along Highway 78 toward Pell City and Logan Martin Lake. Exposure to St. Clair County during the big bike event also lures participants back to the county. “The BBC ride from Ashville sees many people return to the area after riding the event,” Cole says. The Birmingham club has several other rides a year in the area and make a point to do business with local stores and restaurants, and “we’ve had several out-of-town folks return to the area just to ride and enjoy the scenic roads of St. Clair County.”

Mountain Goat Challenge at Walker’s Gap

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Another great ride

WANTED

Room to Roam s t c a r T g n i t n u H  Acreage s w e i V r a l u c a t c e p S Wildlife Creeks & Streams

We have what you want!

250 Acre ble a Tracts Avail

Lymon Lovejoy, Broker 205.699.5816

Chad Camp 205.478.4974

330 Acres & 5 Lakes

Brian Camp 205.369.7154

Shawn Lovejoy 205.582.8148

Terry & Micshelle DeWitt 205.966.3425

St. Clair Alabama

LookingReview Ahead Business Louis

Bedsole toatbuild cutting-edge A new era begins Northside eye center in Pell City

60 DISCOVER Essence St. Clair •••August & September 2013 of St. ClairThe •The Business Review DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair October && November 2017 60 DISCOVER The Essence St. Clair •August & March 2016 2016 60 DISCOVER The Essence ofof St. Clair & September 2017 DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair June & July 2017 DISCOVER DISCOVER Essence The Essence of St. Clair of St. ••Clair Clair December June 2016 & 2015 2017 DISCOVER The Essence ofof St. Clair December 2017 & January January 2018 DISCOVER The Essence of St. •••April May 60• DISCOVER The Essence DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February February &July March 2019

Story by Carol Pappas Photos by Graham Hadley & submitted Pell City’s commercial landscape continues to grow with the announcement by Dr. James W. Bedsole, OD, that he will open an eye care facility on US 231 South on an outparcel site in front of Publix later this year. Land has been cleared on the South Park property, and construction is beginning on a state-of-the-art eye care center that Bedsole says will benefit his patients. “We’ll be doing what we have been doing for a long time, serving the people of Pell City. But this facility will help us take care of patients better.” The 4,000 square foot Dr. James W. Bedsole Eye Care will be more spacious and comfortable than the downtown location he has been operating from since 1991 when he purchased the practice from the late Dr. James McClendon Sr. “This is absolutely the perfect piece of property for Dr. Bedsole and what he wants to do there,” said Bill Ellison, president of I-20 Development and developer of the Publix shopping center that lies behind the new eye center. “Publix stands for professional service and quality, and the eye center will draw from that customer base. It is a perfect fit for him on that spot.” The practice will expand and adopt new technology, and it will have a larger optical gallery, Bedsole said. While he has experienced much growth and support from the community over the years, his goal is to continue growing the practice – “bringing in new doctors to work with me.” But he is quick to point out that he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. “I enjoy what I do. I enjoy the patients. I am not ready to quit yet.” His staff isn’t either. He has eight full time employees now. “As we grow, that number is going to grow – hiring new staff and new doctors.” City Manager Brian Muenger

Dr. Bedsole at the construction site of his new eye care center sees Bedsole’s eye center as further investment in a growing economy for Pell City and an enhancement to the already robust medical community. “The prosperity and expansion of existing business is a key indicator of economic vitality. The fact that those who know our community best are choosing to reinvest and expand shows the faith they have in the future of the city and the surrounding areas,” he said. “The development along 231 South has been significant in recent years, and the area continues to emerge as a highly desirable commercial and medical cluster,” Muenger said. “As our residential growth in the south areas of the city continues, the viability of the area

will continue to rise.” There are two ongoing medical developments in the area, the Bedsole project and a new facility for Pell City Internal and Family Medicine, which is under construction to the side of the Publix shopping center and PCIFM’s present location. There are others in the planning stages that have yet to be announced, Muenger added. “We are excited about being a part of Pell City’s growth,” Bedsole said, noting that he targeted the specific area because of its convenience of location and an opportunity to heighten visibility. “Our facility is going to be different than anything Pell City has seen to this point. It is something everyone will be proud of.”

DISCOVER The Essence St. Clair •••August & September 2013 Business Review •July DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • 61 DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair October && November 2017 DISCOVER The Essence St. Clair •August & March 2016 61 2016 DISCOVER The Essence ofof St. Clair & September 2017 DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair June & 2017 61 DISCOVER DISCOVER The Essence The Essence of St. Clair of St. ••Clair Clair December June 2016 & 2015 2017 DISCOVER The Essence ofof St. Clair December 2017 & January January 2018 DISCOVER The Essence of St. •••April May DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February February &July March 2019 61

Business Directory

Business Cards

Business Review Ed Gardner Sr. hands St. Clair the

BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS Story by Paul South Submitted Photos

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” — Proverbs 29:18 For most, visions of economic development mean shiny, sleek sedans slowly rolling off assembly lines. But Ed Gardner Sr. envisioned St. Clair County’s economic boom not just in big manufacturing, but in cozy convenience stores, fueled by gasoline, soda and snacks. Local entrepreneur Bill Ellison remembers Gardner’s first retail project, a convenience store on the I-20 corridor. The area would later grow to include a Wal-Mart Superstore and a wealth of other retailers, restaurants and motels. Ellison recalls a ceremony announcing the project, the biggest he’d undertaken. “Ed Gardner got up there and basically, he said, this project was going to change the whole way of life as Pell City knows it. It was going to be so important to the community, it was going to be about a way of life. It was going to be about better city services. It was going to be about public parks. It was going to be about all the things they could do with that money (tax revenue) that would start coming in off of that development. They would have extra money to do things to make this a better community, and it actually turned out that way.” Indeed, it did. And the seed planted by that small retailer, and the recruitment of big manufacturers across the county, would lead to public parks, better public access to Logan Martin Lake and the Coosa River, the CEPA Center, more money for education and emergency services. Higher wages and better benefits for the county’s people in turn boosted the real estate market. Gardner, now 82, the recipient of the 2018 Chairman’s Award from the St. Clair County Economic Development Council, is quick to downplay his role. While he was honored by the award, he says it was undeserved. The award is given annually to a person who has gone above and beyond in their

St. Clair EDC Executive Director Don Smith, Gardner and EDC Board Chairman Joe Kelly at award presentation support of economic development in St. Clair County. “These are private citizens – not public officials – who are out there trying to make this county better,” said current St. Clair County Economic Development Council Executive Director Don Smith. “I’ve always looked at that as, I was paid for everything I did. Like when I was nominated Citizen of the Year, I didn’t think it was fair. The things that I have accomplished are what I’m supposed to be doing. That’s my job, it’s what I’m supposed to be doing. I get up every morning, every day with that in mind, that this is what I’m supposed to accomplish. Awards like that are for people who give of their time, not people who are paid for their time.” He adds, “It’s a great award, and I’m extremely proud to receive it. And it certainly makes me feel good that the people that I’ve known for the 19 years that I’ve been here, feel toward me that they would want to acknowledge what I have done with a ceremony and a way to commemorate it. It’s a tremendous honor and one that I really don’t feel that I necessarily deserve.”

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Business Directory

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair â€¢ February & March 2019

Business Review

His resume’ and those who have known Gardner through the years would quickly disagree. Consider just a few of his accomplishments: Director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs in the second administration of then-Gov. Fob James, Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under the late Jack Kemp. He also served in regional leadership roles for HUD in Birmingham, Atlanta, Florida and Oklahoma City. He played a key role in Alabama’s burgeoning automobile industry, helping continue the Mercedes Benz project in Tuscaloosa County, and later Honda in Lincoln and the industries that would spin off the auto industry, benefitting all of St. Clair County. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Those who have come to know Gardner over his 19 years in St. Clair County are quick to disagree with his claim that the Chairman’s Award is undeserved. They contend he is the foundation for economic prosperity that St. Clair County has enjoyed in recent years. Its ranking as one of the fastestgrowing counties in the state was built in large part, they say, through Gardner’s efforts. And it came because he brought unity to the county’s drive for prosperity. Former Pell City Mayor Guin Robinson said in the late 1990s, local leaders committed to work together, ignoring political turf wars that can kill the best-intentioned ideas in small towns and rural counties. St. Clair has had its share, thanks in part to its geography. Not this time. “Sometimes the stars align. We had progressive leaders, and we were all committed to do whatever it took to bring the county together around economic development.” And the biggest piece of the puzzle, many say, was attracting Ed Gardner to St. Clair County. “The Ed Gardner hire was the biggest the county ever made,” Ellison said. “Forming the EDC and hiring him, I can’t think of anything that’s been more important for this county. Ed always had the right words at the right time. He was an artist with words. He would pick the absolute right word. It was a work of art when Ed spoke.” Longtime Gardner friend and colleague, local real estate executive Lyman Lovejoy, agrees. Lovejoy still pinches himself when he thinks of how the county landed Gardner for its point person on the economy. He knew how to build confidence and how to bring people together. Lovejoy was on the EDC board for 15 years and was part of the team that interviewed Gardner for the its executive director role. “He’s got a pedigree that’s unreal. When he was in the interview, he got a phone call and said he had to take it, that it was from then-U.S. Rep. Richard Shelby. I thought it was staged. But it was Richard Shelby. That’s the kind of people he knew.” The man that holds the job now, EDC Executive Director Don Smith, said that Gardner’s experience at the state and federal level paid dividends. “It was critical in his ability to come here and have the patience and the temperament to bring everyone together, even if they didn’t want to,” Smith said. Lovejoy, a past recipient of the Chairman’s Award, added, “He is the one that put us on the road to economic development here in the county. He brought our county together, the towns together, all working the same way for the same purpose.”

Town and Country Ed and Betty Gardner during Gov. Fob James’ administration

Gardner with HUD Secretary Jack Kemp

Gardner’s philosophy was as simple as the old adage of the rising tide that lifts all boats. A recent informal survey of the county’s major employers revealed that the workforce at each firm came from across the county. “When you’re talking about jobs, it’s not zip code specific or city specific,” Smith said. “When a company’s expanding with 200 jobs, that’s good for all areas of St. Clair County.” “He preached a sermon: “Just because they put something in Steele or Pell City, it benefits everybody (countywide),” Lovejoy said. “All the jobs don’t come from Steele or Ashville or wherever. His people skills were unsurpassed.”

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

And under Gardner’s leadership, St. Clair’s economic development blueprint became a model for other cities and counties. “Ed validated economic development in St. Clair County,” Lovejoy says. “Other counties would call us and say, ‘How are y’all doing this? Show us what you’re doing.’ That’s going on today.” Would economic development have transformed St. Clair into one of the state’s fastest growing counties without Gardner? “It certainly wouldn’t have been as big,” Lovejoy says. Gardner shies away from an individual spotlight. He will quickly tell you that economic development rests on a twotiered foundation – teamwork and integrity, doing what you say you’ll do, without excuses. He will quickly share credit with public and private sector leaders he’s worked with, as well as with his wife of 60 years, Betty, and his children. And then there is his faith. In their retirement years, the Gardners travel to cities large and small, following their favorite Southern Gospel groups. Whether in Louisville, Ky., or Shipshewana, Ind., or towns near and far, he prefers performers who sing together for the glory of God, not singers who try to bring attention to themselves onstage. “I’ve always liked gospel music, but I have never liked the demeanor of the most popular groups when they were performing on stage. To me, it ought to be a worship experience.” Economic development is the same way, he says – perfect shared harmony. And every shared success is granted by the Almighty. His career of success has also endured pain. Gardner led the Oklahoma City field office of HUD. Days after he left that role in 1995 to return to Alabama, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed in a horrific act of domestic terrorism. Some 168 people died, including 35 of Gardner’s HUD colleagues. Nineteen children being cared for at the America’s Kids Day Care Center in the building, were among the dead. He tries to block out the memory, but it never fades. Asked how he was impacted by the bombing, Gardner took a long pause. His voice broke and tears came. Those that were lost, he said, “were some of the best people I ever knew. I try to let people know how I feel about them rather than waiting until tomorrow or next week or next month, because . . . because I know that I may not have another opportunity.” With the Chairman’s Award, Gardner’s adopted home expressed its feelings for him. And while grateful, Gardner’s humility never ceased. “The thing that I would want people to know is that I never promised anything that I didn’t think I could deliver. And I never committed to anything that I didn’t do my best to complete in an exemplary way.” He adds: “There’s nothing that I can look back on that can make me look back and say I wish I’d taken this path rather than that path. I tell you, the Lord has been so good to me in giving me a great family that has supported me in times I wasn’t able to be there physically to support them. They never wavered. Therefore, I know I’ve done what I should have done. I am without any doubt, one of the most blessed people that has ever lived.” And his greatest reward comes not through gleaming plaques

Managing HUD office in Oklahoma City

Gardner with First Lady Barbara Bush

or grand ribbon cuttings, but in something more tangible. “What’s gratifying to me is that when I walk through one of these plants, whether its Honda or Eismann (Automotive, North America) here in Pell City or WKW, and I’m walking through there and I see a man or woman there that I had seen in the past (making minimum wage) and (now) seeing them making a good hourly wage plus benefits, that’s what does more for me than anything else – knowing that their standard of living has really improved.” Guin Robinson characterized Gardner’s legacy. “You can have all the necessary things for success,” he said. “But it takes a leader. And it takes someone who can put all the ingredients together. You can call him an architect. You can call him a builder, but Ed put it together. … We all knew we had those things, but we needed someone to put it together. I’m forever thankful and forever grateful that that person was Ed Gardner.”

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Business Review

NORTHSIDE

N Medical Associates

Indirect lighting, mood music, soothing videos and specially designed equipment to add comfort, ease stress

Opens new imaging suite with 3-D mammography 68

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair â€˘ February & March 2019

Story by Carol Pappas Photos by Susan Wall If you pay close enough attention to Northside Medical Home these days, it’s almost as if you can hear the construction dust flying and the innovation in constant motion. It’s like the first in a row of dominos given a slight thump, and the action that surely follows seems unstoppable. The latest venture for this progressive medical practice is an imaging suite featuring 3-D mammography. “There’s a real interest, and we’re real excited about it,” said Dr. Michael Dupre, one of Northside’s partners. With the advent of the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and insurance companies, like Blue Cross Blue Shield, are induced financially to keep up with good health practices. More patients are getting screenings than ever before, and that has caused a back log to keep up with in the county, Dupre explained. He focused on the need for mammograms, describing them as a “life-saving exam, especially for women in their 40s and 50s, when breast cancer can be more aggressive.” In the planning stages, he wanted to make sure that if Northside was going to get involved in this kind of imaging, it would be cutting-edge to benefit patients most. He visited a noted women’s center in Boca Raton, where he found “all the major players” in 3-D Mammography. The center, he added, is “larger than our whole layout.” What he found there was the next generation of 3-D digital mammography technology, and that is what you’ll find now in Northside’s new imaging center. According to GEHealthcare, its Senographe Pristina reshapes the traditional mammography experience into one with “comfort, confidence and clarity.” It has a totally curved surface for comfort during the exam. Warm air is blown in, also aimed at comfort. The patient has a wireless remote and once in the initial position, the patient controls the amount of compression on each breast. “It’s what they can tolerate,” Dupre said. And what they have found is that the patient can tolerate more than the old method, giving better, clearer images en route to a better diagnosis. “It’s a technology no one else offers,” Dupre said, noting that patient feedback is that they are more relaxed and more comfortable, leading to better images and detection 14 months earlier. At Northside, the suite that has been under construction for the past six months and has its own waiting room and “a spalike atmosphere” with indirect lighting and soothing music. “It’s a relaxing scene,” Dupre said. And it takes less than six seconds for most exams. And the benefits are immediate. Northside can feed the images to a radiologist and have a diagnosis on site. If needed, “you can have a biopsy before you leave,” he said. No more waiting and worrying – you’ll have answers that day. The goal, Dupre said, is “to make it as pleasant an experience as we can and save a life.” And it is further illustration of Northside’s dedication to delivering patient-centered healthcare. In the past 12 months, Northside doubled its size with the opening of a two-story medical home housing primary and specialty care, an onsite retail pharmacy, health and wellness clinic, infusion center and administrative offices, training room and conference room. Then, it renovated Building I and opened ACCEL Urgent

Remote allows patient to control amount of compression during a mammogram

16-slice CT scan in suite with calming atmosphere adds to patients’ comfort

Care, a new concept in delivering urgent care through Northside’s primary care and specialty network, complete with comprehensive lab and cutting-edge diagnostic imaging, such as an open MRI. The imaging suite, which also houses bone density testing and state-of-the-art CT Scan, is Northside’s latest foray into bringing top-notch quality medical practices and diagnostics close to home, Dupre said. “You don’t have to go to Birmingham to get it.”

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Business Review

Gallery of Eden

St. Clair’s spot for artistic talent to flourish

Various artists on display in gallery

Story by Leigh Pritchett Photos by Wallace Bromberg Jr. Right in the heart of Eden is a harvest of artistry. The items have been sown with talent and cultivated with creativity. The garden where they can be found is called Gallery of Eden. It sprouted from one woman’s dream of having a gallery and one man’s wish to have his own creative space. In November 2018, husband-and-wife team Wally Bromberg and Nettie Bean opened Gallery of Eden as a “primary market gallery,” featuring “solid, high-end” pieces from a very select list of artists. The pieces at Gallery of Eden are on consignment directly

from the 20 artists. “We try to be very selective,” Bromberg said of the artists and works chosen. Some of the artists are local, while others are from North-central Alabama or the Southeast. One originally is from New Zealand, and another is teaching in New York. The gallery offers an array of art and unique gifts in various media, such as paintings in oil or acrylics; clay works; pieces in recycled glass or aluminum; mosaics and wood, among others. Some of the artwork is decorative; some is functional; some makes a statement, and some is just plain fun. “We’re trying to carry a variety that will appeal to a lot of people,” Bean said. The gallery, Bromberg said, makes the works of serious artists available to people who enjoy and admire it. “This is not

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

DANA

LOOK GREAT. SEE GREAT. with

DELIVERS!

James W. Bedsole, O.D. EYECARE

Serving Pell City and St. Clair County families since 1991.

Dr. James W. Bedsole

EYECARE

1723 Cogswell Avenue Pell City, AL 35125 www.drbedsole.com

205-884-2020 Fax: 205-338-8840 Emergency: 205-753-6221

GET IN ––––– GET OUT ––––– GET BETTER –––––

She knows the market and she knows how to deliver results: • Top Producer • Experienced • Extra Mile Effort • Civic Leader • ‘Can Do’ Attitude

Dana Ellison (205)369-1413 danaellison@lahrealestate.com

“2018 St. Clair Co. Realtor of the Year”

With a team like Dana Ellison and LAH, real estate solutions are at your doorstep.

A D I V I S I O N O F N O RT H S I D E M E D I C A L A S S O C I AT E S

Our networ k of fer s compr ehensive primar y and specialty car e. •Adv anced Imaging •Diagnostic Lab •Retail Phar macy onsite We’ r e her e w hen you need us.

Trusted Urgent Care 7 days a week

205-814-9284 M o n d ay – S a t u r d ay 8 : 0 0 a m – 8 : 0 0 p m S u n d ay 1 : 0 0 p m – 6 : 0 0 p m D r. J e r e m y A l l e n

7 0 P l a z a D r i v e Pe l l C i t y, A L Nor thsideMed.com

Business Review a hobby gallery.” Prices begin at less than $20, which means owning original artwork is not as expensive as one might think. “A lot of people think they can’t afford original art,” said Bean. The other end of the price range is about $2,500, which gives an indication of the exceptionality of the artwork available. Steve Smith, an artist whose pieces are offered at the gallery, said Gallery of Eden is among the best of its kind in the nation. “Sally (my wife) and I visit art galleries all over the country and very few have more to offer than the Gallery of Eden,” said Smith, who lives in the New London area near Cropwell. “... The Pell City area is home to so much artistic talent. The new gallery will help bring them together, as well as inspire others to develop their talents and skills.” When Jessie Garrison of Pell City visited the gallery, she was “impressed,” “overwhelmed” and “excited” at what she saw. “It’s upscale for Pell City to have something like that,” she said. Pell City attorney John Rea agreed. “The Gallery of Eden is a true gem in Pell City. The studio itself is a masterpiece of design. Even better, it showcases many of our local artists. The artwork is simply gorgeous. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to hear a story behind the unique pieces. The details Nettie and Wally incorporated into the Gallery of Eden are impeccable. ... You feel like you are somewhere else without ever having left town!” The gallery is a collaborative work of art. Bean and Bromberg purchased the long-vacant cinder-block building that fronts Cogswell Avenue and transformed the structure into an inviting 1,200-square-foot gallery. “We did a lot of the rehab work (on the building),” Bromberg said. The shiny pine flooring, lighting and wooden slat ceiling create an open, airy atmosphere. The ceiling and mobile displays and cubes were fashioned by Bromberg himself. In the center of the gallery is another of his creations, a large wooden table that seems to invite visitors to sit and talk for a while. (Check out the carriage house doors - again, Bromberg’s handiwork - that close a storage area.) “The new gallery looks wonderful,” Smith said. “They have worked tirelessly on the structure itself, as well as assembling a terrific array of very talented artists. I’m thrilled to play a very small part with my art.” A professional photographer, Bromberg’s studio is situated against a backdrop of artwork at the rear of the gallery. For many years, Bromberg ran a family-owned millworks company that his grandfather started in Birmingham in 1946. The company closed in 2008, which is when Bromberg moved to Pell City. Like Bromberg, Bean has an on-site studio where she creates her acclaimed artwork while tending the gallery. An artist since her 20s, Bean is known for the portraits, commissions, Southern landscapes and hummingbird artwork she paints. Her work has been awarded by the Alabama Wildlife Federation. Formerly a title researcher for a law firm, Bean has for the last 13 years been executing land ownership searches for a

Gallery of Eden

Nettie Bean and Wally Bromberg

Pottery and other pieces featured in gallery

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

VETERANS UPWARD BoUND TRiO | Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) is a TRiO program funded 100% by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

BENEFITS & SERVICES AVAILABLE

Call: 256-549-8328 Visit: gadsdenstate.edu/vub

HELPING VETERANS SUCCEED

Business Review

Gallery of Eden

Town Creek by Nettie Bean

Berry Bowl by Lynette Hesser 74

mining company. The travels that ensue take her far and wide where, according to Bromberg, her reputation as an artist quickly spreads. It is not uncommon for Bean to teach impromptu art classes, which in fact she has done in Lovelock and Elko, Nev., and Richmond, Va. When Bean and Bromberg purchased the building, the two considered different ideas about what kind of business to have in it. Some plot twists redirected those ideas and soon the building’s purpose became clear to the couple. “Nettie had an idea for a gallery for a long time,” Bromberg said, adding that he also had in mind some creative space for himself. “Every guy needs space to do his stuff.” The gallery idea, Bean felt, would allow Bromberg to display his photography and her to show her artwork. Then Bean thought that, if she were to display her artwork there, others should be able to show theirs, too. Thus, the gallery idea took root and blossomed. And the couple officially became “gallerists.” “Wally takes care of the business, the mechanical aspects of things,” Bean said of her husband. “I let Nettie be the art director,” added Bromberg. Bean already has plans to offer art instruction locally, as she has in previous years. In 2019, she foresees teaching art classes for different skill levels – from beginners to “serious” artists – and day-long field-trip classes for high school students. These fit nicely with the couple’s concept for the gallery, which is for it to be a place to display, shop, enjoy, learn and gather with others. “... Just provide a place for people to meet,” Bean said of the gallery. In fact, the gallery does more than promote visual arts. From 6-8:30 p.m. each Tuesday is a time of “pickin’s.” Musicians of all ages get together to play tunes at the gallery. “You don’t have to be an established musician to participate,” Bromberg said. “... If you play an instrument, come on Tuesday, and we’ll play a round.” By the way, Bromberg did get that designated area that he said all men need. Behind the gallery is his “space,” full of tools and equipment with which he generates his wood-turning creations. In the gallery, see the collection of his handwork, particularly the wooden bowl with a checkerboard design. Gallery of Eden is open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • February & March 2019

Shop local. Save local. KaChing Checking powered by BaZing

firstbankal.com

(256) 362 â€“ 2334